Gravy boat

The sauceboat is incomplete; the original handle, broken and missing except for its tail, has been replaced by an iron band, and a crack has been consolidated with an iron spike. It is pyriform, with a plain top rim; the wider end features a vertical handle, while the other end elongates into a long, oval-shaped pouring spout. In cross-section, the wall is domed and curves towards the pedestal, which has a straight contour and no glaze on the base. The base is recessed and flat. A mold line is visible on the outer wall and under the base. The handle has been replaced by an iron band, covered by a wire sheath, which has partially disappeared; the lower part of the handle is detached from the wall. The outer edge of the saucer, near the handle, features a spike whose ends are inserted in a pair of drilled holes. The areas of the outer wall facing the handle are blackened, while the inner wall is stained with iron rust ; The decoration is molded and hand-painted in underglaze blue. The decoration is a lake scene. The molded decoration is visible on the rim, outer wall and foot. On the rim and foot, it consists of small vertical bulges. On the wall, it consists of oval medallions in slight relief, on the sides, the wall below the spout and the wall housing the handle. The painted decoration is visible under the inner rim and base, as well as under the outer rim and wall. The braid under the inner rim is trimmed with groups of concentric, intersecting curved lines. They are regularly interrupted by a floral motif flanked by scrolls and set between curved lines. The decoration on the inner background is an island lined with trees, in front of which three rocks emerge. The decoration below the outer rim is complex and consists of various elements. The main element is a braid adorned with a double, spiked lattice. It is interrupted on the sides by a plant motif with acanthus leaves and bordered by a ribbed half-flower; flowers hang from leafy, flowering stems. The braid also borders similar half-flowers. Below the beak and on the opposite wall, the braid is interrupted by a Ruyi head encircled by acanthus-leaf scrolls, and adorned with stone beads. One of the side walls is adorned with an island supporting a pagoda, flanked by a building and apparently equipped with a landing stage. Behind the building rise bamboos, and there are rocks to its right. In the foreground is a fence whose panels are adorned with swastikas. In the background are two islands linked by a point to an arch; one island supports a building. Mountains rise in the background. The opposite wall features a rocky island supporting a willow tree. The wall below the spout is adorned, at its base, with a leafy stem adorned with a large ribbed flower. In the background, a boat sails on the water, while birds fly in the sky. The opposite wall is adorned with ribbed leaves on either side of the cove.