Polychrome Vase with Figure Design

This type of vessel derives its name from its resemblance to a traditional clothes-washing mallet. The interior of the “mallet vase” is glazed white and the exterior is polychromed. The subject matter of the painting is a battle from The Romance of the Sui-Tang, in which Qin Shubao battles Yu Chigong. Commonly called “swords-horses-men”, this subject matter was frequently depicted in Kangxi-era ceramics.