The State Hermitage Museum: Exhibitions

The painted decoration of the vessel

The cobalt blue painting was one of the favorite techniques in porcelain decoration. The earliest cobalt was imported from the Near East and influenced China in c. 7-8th cc A.D. The cobalt blue porcelain decoration reached high level in 14th c. and continued to flourish later. The subjects and patterns used for the painting were taken from the classical, literal, Buddhist and Taoist sources as well as omnipotent compositions, symbols, landscapes, birds and animals were depicted.
The painted decoration of the vessel shows rocks, lotus and peony flowers, peaches, stags, mythical qilin - all these are the lucky symbols.