White-glazed mei-ping vase with carved floraldesign

Northern Song Dynasty
Unearthed at Tangyin, Henan
Height: 34cm
Mouth diameter: 6cm

The technique of the carved designis unique. The craftsmen painted twining peonies and vine on thevase, then they scraped the white glaze to expose the brown clayexcept the designs. The flowers were pure white and vivid and theground was brown, which showed a strong contrast incolour.