Item No.: 1730
Name: An ewer in the form of a boy holding a scroll, decorated in underglaze blue and red
Period: Yuan dynasty
Height: 23.4 cm
This ewer is modeled as a seated boy holding a scroll. He wears a lotus-shaped cap, and his delicate features, slightly lowered eyes, and calm, composed expression suggest that he is quietly savoring the meaning of the text. He is dressed in a front-opening long robe with broad, relaxed sleeves and naturally falling folds; the sash across his chest is clearly visible. The blue robe rendered in underglaze cobalt blue contrasts with the underglaze-red decoration, further setting off the whiteness of his face and hands and giving the figure greater depth and vitality.
The work ingeniously combines the figure’s form with the vessel’s practical function. The hollow body of the boy forms the ewer’s body; the opening at the center of his cap is used to pour in liquid; the rectangular opening at the upper end of the scroll held in his hands serves as the spout; and an arched handle is set behind him. Every part of the vessel is naturally integrated into the boy’s clothing and gestures, making it both a functional vessel and a vivid, expressive porcelain sculpture.
The most intriguing aspect of this object lies in its ingenious combination of reading and drinking—two activities that might at first seem unrelated. Among ancient literati, many were fond of wine, and Li Bai was even known as the “Wine Immortal.” Poetry, books, and fine wine could all serve as means of expressing one’s temperament and easing the mind. The boy, absorbed in studying the books of the sages, unexpectedly offers fine wine as he tilts the ewer, suggesting that good books and good wine can alike make people forget their troubles and become completely immersed in pleasure.