Lot Essay
The columnar Tibetan ewer does not appear to have been favoured during the Ming dynasty, even during the reigns when Tibetan Buddhism flourished. However, with the reign of the Qing dynasty Kangxi emperor, and his renewal of interest in Tibet and Tibetan Buddhism, vessels of this duomu or liammu ewer form appeared in metalwork and in porcelain, usually decorated with enamels. The Tibetan name for this type of vessel means 'container for butter', but they were also used for milk and wine. Compare the pair of Kangxi cloisonné enamel ewers, also lacking covers, which sold at Christie's King Street, 2 October 2013, lot 66.