Untitled

Unknown

mid-15th century · Porcelain with cobalt blue under a transparent glaze (Jingdezhen ware) · Asian Art

The theme of winged animals, in this case a horse, an elephant, a mongoose, a fish, a rabbit, and two cervids, was most likely inspired by the extraordinary court-sponsored maritime expeditions of the early fifteenth century, in which a Chinese fleet, under the direction of Zheng He (1371–1433), reached the coast of Africa.

Artist

Unknown

Date

mid-15th century

Medium

Porcelain with cobalt blue under a transparent glaze (Jingdezhen ware)

Culture

China

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

Purchase, The Vincent Astor Foundation Gift, 2010