‘HU’ VASE WITH LID AND PAINTED DECORATION

Description This vase has a very expanded and slightly flattened belly, placed on a curved foot with a raised support. The high, wide neck is harmoniously curved from the shoulder to the hem, which widens further into the opening. The shape and size mirror those of the foot. Two ornamental and zoomorphic masks (pushou) are applied symmetrically below the shoulder and covered with white engobe. The walls of the hu, up to the lower part of the belly, are decorated with horizontal bands with white and red designs on a grey background, sometimes enriched with purple and surrounded by white-shaped cloud designs and a wash of grey that is apparently lighter and more shaded towards brown than the colour of the mixture.