Kangxi (1662-1722)
The ewers are of pear shape and are supported on a splayed foot and have a C-shaped handle. They are painted with two standing ladies dressed in long robes, each holding a leafy branch and flanking a jar with a large flowering branch of peony supported on a low table. They are looking down at a white rabbit seated at their feet. The handles are painted with three leaf-shaped motifs and are flanked by a large flowering branch of peony. The rims are encircled by a classic scroll and a zigzag border. The domed covers have a further classic scroll encircling a floral rosette. The base has a yu mark. They are covered with a finely crackled glaze of ivory tone. Covers and handles have two small holes forr fitting of a silver mount.
Height of each 10.5 cm
One of the new developments in the ceramic production during the Kangxi period is the rise of 'soft paste' porcelain. This term is rather misleading as it is more often used to describe the kind of wares produced in Chelsea and Sèvres and which is totally different from the Chinese 'soft paste' ware.
'Soft paste' is called hua shi 滑石 (slippery stone) in Chinese and has a very hard body, though its glaze may look softer by the often dense crackle. The paste has a much finer grain and is more fragile and lighter. It was therefore used for making small and delicate objects for the table or the scholar's desk. The material was very suitable for fine and detailed designs.
It was considered rare during the Kangxi period and certainly more expensive than the regular porcelain.
BF 91 清康熙 青花滑石小壺一對
時代：清康熙，1662至1722年。
特徵：壺呈梨形，器身描繪白兔、手持綠葉的女士與矮桌上的牡丹花盆栽。通體覆蓋著象牙色的細裂紋釉。蓋子和手柄有兩個用於安裝銀製支架的小孔。底部書「玉」字。
尺寸：高10.5公分。
