A RARE CHINESE BLUE AND WHITE PILGRIM'S FLASK FOR THE ISLAMIC MARKET. Ming Dynasty, 15th Century. The boat-shaped body divided into sections by raised ribs, terminating to rosette tips, set to the centre with a cylindrical neck with a garlic mouth decorated with bands of lotus petals and lappets, a short spout to one end, painted with stylised blossoms and foliage above a scrolling band, and stylised waves crashing against a rock, all supported on four ruyi -shaped feet, 21cm long, 17cm H, 10cm W. 明十五世紀 外銷伊斯蘭市場青花纏枝番蓮紋新月形扁壺 For similar vessels of this type please see Oriental Ceramics. The World's Great Collections , vol. 3, Tokyo, 1982, pl. 31 for an example in the Museum Pusat, Jakarta. Further are illustrated in R.H. Pinder-Wilson and Mary Tregear, Two Drinking Flasks from Asia, Oriental Art , Winter, 1070, pp. 339-40, plates 6 and 7, in the collection of the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford, and pl. 8, from the Sir Percival David collection in the City Art Gallery, Bristol. It has been suggested by Pinder-Wilson and Tregear that this form originated from a leather pilgrim’s vessel, as evidenced by the ‘seams’ running along the curved body of the Chinese porcelain vessels (see p. 337). Other scholars argue this shape derives from the metal kashkul and would have been made for the Islamic market: see A.S.Melikian-Chirvani, From the Royal Boat to the Beggars BowI , in: Islamic Art IV 1990-1991, The lslamic Art Foundation, New York, 1992. **Due to Covid -19, London Chiswick Auctions is operating a skeleton staff working remotely. As a result condition reports and extra images may be subject to delay or limited availability. ** **由於2019冠狀病毒爆發的原因，倫敦齊仕閣拍賣會行只有少部分員工在家辦公。這可能會導致延發/少發品相報告及照片。** (21cm long, 17cm H, 10cm W.)