Blue and White Porcelain

This is an antique Chinese Ming dynasty blue and white porcelain vase. The vase measures 9.25 inches high, by 6.9 inches in diameter, and has a capacity of approximately 3 liters. The vase is made of white porcelain, which has been painted with a blue pigment that may have contained cobalt oxide or other ingredients to give it its signature color.

The vase is decorated with stylized lotus flowers on the body and neck of the vessel as well as at the base of one handle and at the tip of the other handle. There are also four animals depicted on either side of the body: a cat on one side and a dog on the other; both are sitting up with their front paws raised in greeting towards each other (the cat's tail is also raised).

This piece was most likely used for storing water or wine because it has no spout or drainage hole. The bottom of the base bears two impressed marks: "Made in China" and "Ming Dynasty."