Although the painting format on the present ewer is still arranged in registers, much in keeping with its Hongwu period predecessors, it is interesting to note the lack of lotus lappets above the foot; this made available a wider space on the main body to render the scrolling floral design.

Compare the stylised design executed on a Hongwu ewer decorated with scrolling chrysanthemum on the main body and lotus sprays on the spout excavated from the Zhushan site, exhibited at the Chang Foundation, Imperial Hongwu and Yongle Porcelain Excavated at Jingdezhen, 1996, and illustrated in the Catalogue, p. 75, no. 4. By the Yongle period, the painting style had transformed to become more naturalistic with a greater innovative use of the brush and shading of the cobalt as can be seen on the present ewer; and can also be compared with an excavated ewer of this same pattern, illustrated op. cit., 1996, p. 176, no. 57. A comparable ewer with a peony scroll design from the Manno Art Museum was sold in these Rooms, 28 October 2002, lot 526.