Jar thumbnail 1
On display

Jar

1662-1722 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This lidded jar is a typical example of blue and white porcelain produced in Jingdezhen from the time of the Kangxi reign (1662-1722). The decoration of prunus blossoms and branches against a background of cracked ice may signify that this jar was intended as present for the New Year.

During the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries it became particularly popular in Europe, where it was generally known as 'ginger jar'.

Object details

Category
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Jar
  • Lid
Materials and techniques
Porcelain, decorated in underglaze blue
Brief description
Jar, porcelain decorated in underglaze blue, China, Kangxi reign (1662-1722)
Physical description
Globular jar, referred to as 'hawthorn ginger jar', made of porcelain decorated in underglaze blue with plum blossoms and branches against a background of cracked ice.
Dimensions
  • Height: 23cm
Styles
Gallery label
(2007)
Lidded jar with plum blossom design
Kangxi reign period (1662-1722)
Jingdezhen kilns, south China

This form is known as a 'ginger jar' among British collectors, though it cannot be proved that the jars were indeed containers for ginger when they were shipped from China.

Porcelain painted in cobalt blue
Museum no. C.819-1910
Salting Bequest
Credit line
Salting Bequest
Object history
Bequeathed by Mr. George Salting, accessioned in 1910. This acquisition information reflects that found in the Asia Department registers, as part of a 2022 provenance research project.
Subjects depicted
Summary
This lidded jar is a typical example of blue and white porcelain produced in Jingdezhen from the time of the Kangxi reign (1662-1722). The decoration of prunus blossoms and branches against a background of cracked ice may signify that this jar was intended as present for the New Year.

During the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries it became particularly popular in Europe, where it was generally known as 'ginger jar'.
Collection
Accession number
C.819&A-1910

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Record createdDecember 15, 1999
Record URL
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