Chinese Blue and White ‘Double Happiness’ Ginger Jar and Cover

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Qing dynasty, 19th century
A charming Chinese blue and white ovoid ginger jar and flat cover, painted in soft tones … Read more Qing dynasty, 19th century
A charming Chinese blue and white ovoid ginger jar and flat cover, painted in soft tones of underglaze cobalt with a dense ground of scrolling lotus and peony foliage, boldly interrupted on either side by the large character 囍 (shuangxi), the ‘double happiness’ emblem traditionally associated with marriage and conjugal felicity. The shoulder is encircled by a keyfret border, and the slightly domed cover repeats the double-happiness character within a conforming foliate surround. Jars of this type were produced in considerable numbers during the nineteenth century as wedding gifts, often filled with preserves, tea or sweetmeats, and they remain among the most evocative and decorative of Qing utilitarian porcelains. The present example displays the loose, fluent brushwork and softly greyish-blue palette characteristic of provincial kilns of the period; the base is unmarked and thinly glazed, with scattered kiln pitting and adherent grit entirely consistent with its age and method of manufacture. An appealing cabinet piece, equally at home in a traditional or contemporary interior, and retaining its original cover — an increasingly uncommon survival. Please request a full condition report for details.
— THE HOUSE —
From The Orient Gates: four generations of the Harb family, Damascene artisans and antique dealers since the 1870s, heirs of the painter Abou Sobhi Al-Tinawi (Muhammad Harb). Every piece is examined, restored and documented in our family ateliers. A certificate of authenticity accompanies every piece.
— DETAILS —
Origin: China
Period: Qing dynasty, 19th century
Materials: Porcelain, Underglaze cobalt blue
Dimensions: Height: 20 cm (7 ¾ in.) See less