A flat bottle, whose mid section widens to form a sort of diamond shape, is completely covered in a Chinese style ground pattern enameled in bright yellow. Clearly related to Mason's well-known "Bandana" pattern, this variant retains the curly "clouds," but has lost the guardian beasts and medallions. Instead the pattern is studded here and there with flowers and ribbons.

Contrasting with the ground pattern are two oval reserves: one with a colorful Chinese landscape where deer enjoy a mountain stream; the other with framed pastel flowers.

The handle of the ground stopper has a slight upturn at the ends, adding lightness to the overall design.

We don't mean to be confusing by labeling this a "stoppered flask." Nine times out of ten a piece like this would be presented as a "perfume." It is just that we always like to think about how a piece would have originally functioned, and we are not sure if this was actually intended for perfume--considering evaporation and such.

No matter what potion it once contained, it is a rare and highly decorative form.