Ewer, 16th century (ca.1585)
Porcelain, silver-gilt
Height; 13 5/8 in

during this time period it was normal for chinese porcelain to travel go Europe, well semi-normal anyways. chinese porcelain is very rare once it arrived in London only the most esteemed blacksmiths were allowed to even look at it. the most gifted blacksmiths were the ones that branded the porcelain with the gilt finish. Ewer was made specifically during the Wanli period.

seen on the Ewer is a type of scenery, most chinese porcelain shows sceneries using complex shapes and stylistic brush strokes. the scene seen on the Ewer is one of birds in what looks like a  fruit(?) tree or a kind of tropical tree. the handle of the vase is a statue of a mermaid/merman which was a symbol of good-luck back then.

some of the porcelain are given to royal families as gifts or sold as furniture for families that could afford to buy them. merchants that sold it to citizens in Londan for gold. these pieces were so prized that only the most prestigious blacksmiths were commissioned to make mounts and brands for them. this shows how pricey and prestige porcelain was, they had great value in the London culture.