A CHINESE BLUE AND WHITE 'POMEGRANATE' KENDI. Ming Dynasty, Wanli period. The bulbous body moulded and painted with pomegranate fruit with freely painted blossoms, the slender spout modelled as a branch, the tall shaped back rising to a rim in form of a pedicle painted with alternating panels of flower sprays and angular fylfot patterns, 18cm H. 明萬曆 青花繪石榴紋壺 A similar kendi is in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, accession no 79.2.166, for more examples also see Ming Ceramics in the British Museum, J. Harrison-Hall, London 2001, p.283, cat. 11:15, Chinese Export Porcelain for a Globalised Trade, E. Ströber, Stuttgart 2013, p.211, cat. 89 - 91 for three similar vessels.