Chinese Ming Cobalt Brushed Wine Bottle, c. 1550

This elegant ceramic vessel is a Ming-dynasty (1368-1644) bottle originally used for storing oil or sauces. Dated to the 15th/16th century, the small bottle has a gracefully curved f...

This petite ceramic bottle is a Ming-dynasty (1368-1644) vessel originally used for serving rice wine or spirits. The gracefully curved form is known as a yuhuchunping, or pear-shape...

A Korean ceramic bottle with octagonal faceted form with underglaze copper red decoration. The robust bottle with the long neck and a relatively thick built was used to hold liquor such as wine and it was from Joseon dynasty, likely late period (circa mid-late 19th century). The bottle was covered in a milky white glaze with a pleasant warm yellow tint. It has an underglaze iron red paint of branches of gingko leaves on the front and the back side. The color was oxidated into an ochre brown hue instead of iron red. The octagonal form extends nicely from the opening to the base, continuing through the body and makes this bottle geometrically interesting. The rustic paint of the gingko leaves also render the piece a folky modern appeal. For three faceted wine bottles from different period of Joseon Dynasty, see illustration 2, 71 and 73 of "Five Centuries of Korean Ceramics Pottery and Porcelains of the Yi Dynasty...

Black glazed bottle from the late Ming dynasty binh thuan cargo. An identical piece is included on page 146 of the Bin Thuan catalog titled 'The Age of Disco...