Rock and wave

The rock and wave design or motif is found painted on the outer borders of some Asian ceramics.

[1] It represents turbulent waves breaking onto rocks, which are generally depicted as a regular pattern with a considerable degree of stylization, especially in Turkish examples.

"Rock and wave" is a brusque Western version of the Chinese name pao-shan hai-shui (寶山海水), meaning "precious mountains and the sea".

[5] In later Turkish ceramics, especially in the 17th century, a version developed where the "rocks" were white spaces across the width of the border, and within them a blue or black scroll resembling a letter "S" on its side.

[6] Decoration representing waves had a considerable history in Chinese art in various media, often as a background for dragons and other sea monsters.