Water-pot, one of a pair

Often seen on a scholar's table, pots of this shape were commonly used as water containers during the Qing dynasty. The globular body of this classical form was treated with a sharp, inwardly angled rim against which the scholar could wipe his brush, adjusting the amount of water on its point. The interior was left white, while the exterior carries an underglaze-copper red lotus scroll around the rim, and four lavish floral blossoms of peonies, chrysanthemums, lotuses, and foliage on the body, all symbols of prosperity. The motif is executed primarily in a dark red tone and is outlined with underglaze-blue touches. The heavy, hard body was typical of such imperial utensils of the period.