Round Zhangzhou box with flattened domed cover on low footring. Decorated in underglaze blue. In the centre of the cover a medallion with a white hare on a blue ground. Around it three galloping horses between seaweed motifs. The same decoration also appears on the lower part. Crackled glaze. For comments, see cat. 23. The motif of the galloping horse is common on export porcelain of the late 16th century. Here it has been combined with seaweed shapes (wave motifs on other pieces) and alludes to the horse as one of the mythical sea-creatures. The hare is the fourth animal of the Chinese zodiac and is associated with the moon, magic and immortality.

Round Swatow box with flattened domed cover on low footring. Decorated in underglaze blue. In the centre of the cover a medallion with a white hare on a blue ground. Around it three galloping horses between seaweed motifs. The same decoration also appears on the lower part. Crackled glaze. For comments, see cat. 23. The motif of the galloping horse is common on export porcelain of the late 16th century. Here it has been combined with seaweed shapes (wave motifs on other pieces) and alludes to the horse as one of the mythical sea-creatures. The hare is the fourth animal of the Chinese zodiac and is associated with the moon, magic and immortality.