Bunrin tea container

Yuan to Ming dynasty (14th–15th century)

Donated by the Homma family

“Bunrin” refers to apples, and to the lovely round, apple-like shape of this container. Among the Chinese tea containers, the bunrin type container is the second only to the eggplant type in prestige. The glaze has a beautiful glossy, almost chestnut color, and the single streak of glaze which flows downward and pools near the base is the highlight of this piece.