A Rare and Blue and White Porcelain Pilgrim Flask Made For The Islamic Market, China, Ming Dynasty, 15th Century

of crescent form with rosette terminals supported on four small foliate feet, a central narrow cylindrical ringed neck, spout to body, decorated in underglaze cobalt blue with scrolling tendrils issuing trefoils and lotus rosettes bordered by keyfret patterning, the underbelly with wave and cloudband motifs

In fairly good condition overall, the glaze worn along the protruding bands on body revealing original clay surface, with crack and subsequent repair to one of the terminals, one foot with crack along the interior and minor chip to other foot, as viewed.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

A fifteenth-century Ming dynasty flask in the National Museum of Indonesia in Jakarta that was found in Bukittingi, West Sumatra possesses an almost identical pattern of lotus scrolls to the upper body and cloudband waves below (see Robert Finlay, The Pilgrim Art, Cultures of Porcelain in World History, p.299). A similar flask is also illustrated by S. T. Yeo & Jean Martin in Arts Orientalis, Singapore, South East Asian Ceramics Society and National Museum Singapore, April 1978, no.28. From the thirteenth century onwards the majority of high-quality underglaze cobalt blue porcelain was produced by the Jingdezhen kilns of Jianxi province. At the end of the fourteenth century, the Hongwu emperor (r.1368-98) conducted a mission to Southeast Asia, where he arrived bearing diplomatic gifts including 13,000 pieces of porcelain. By the beginning of the fifteenth century under the Yongle emperor (1403-25) and then Xuande emperor (1426-35), China became increasingly aware of the demand and requirements of the Muslim world. Islamic glass and metal work forms began to influence the shape and patterns used by the Ming potters. This extremely rare crescent-moon flask derives its shape from the metal kashkul and would have been made for the Islamic market. For a comprehensive discussion on kashkuls see A.S.Melikian-Chirvani, 'From the Royal Boat to the Beggars Bowl', in: Islamic Art IV 1990-1991, The Islamic Art Foundation, New York, 1992.

For a discussion on the Indian variant on the kashkul, the pilgrim flask, see Zebrowski 1997, pp.198-205.