Ginger Jar
1662-1722 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Object Type
Vessels of this shape are called 'ginger jars' in the West, because they were often imported containing ginger. In China they were used to hold a variety of substances or were simply ornamental objects.
Time
In China porcelain with cobalt blue designs painted under the glaze first became popular during the 14th century. Motifs on blue and white porcelain included figurative scenes from well-known novels and legends. During the Qing dynasty (1644-1911) the potters at the Jingdezhen kilns in south China created many different types of porcelain adorned with a large variety of decoration, including rich monochrome glazes and cobalt blue decoration. The Qing dynasty reign mark of Kangxi (1662-1722) can be seen on the base of this jar. Porcelains of the Kangxi period are renowned for their clear colour and painterly decoration, as exemplified here. During this period medium-sized jars and bowls were often decorated with garden scenes depicting scholars, women and children at leisure.
Materials & Making
The cobalt blue pigment was painted directly on to the porcelain body, which was then covered with a clear glaze and fired to a temperature of between 1280 and 1350ºC.
Vessels of this shape are called 'ginger jars' in the West, because they were often imported containing ginger. In China they were used to hold a variety of substances or were simply ornamental objects.
Time
In China porcelain with cobalt blue designs painted under the glaze first became popular during the 14th century. Motifs on blue and white porcelain included figurative scenes from well-known novels and legends. During the Qing dynasty (1644-1911) the potters at the Jingdezhen kilns in south China created many different types of porcelain adorned with a large variety of decoration, including rich monochrome glazes and cobalt blue decoration. The Qing dynasty reign mark of Kangxi (1662-1722) can be seen on the base of this jar. Porcelains of the Kangxi period are renowned for their clear colour and painterly decoration, as exemplified here. During this period medium-sized jars and bowls were often decorated with garden scenes depicting scholars, women and children at leisure.
Materials & Making
The cobalt blue pigment was painted directly on to the porcelain body, which was then covered with a clear glaze and fired to a temperature of between 1280 and 1350ºC.
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Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 2 parts.
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| Materials and techniques | Porcelain, decorated in underglaze cobalt blue |
| Dimensions |
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| Style | |
| Marks and inscriptions | False mark of the earlier Chenghua reign period (1465-87) on the base |
| Gallery label | British Galleries:
CHINESE BLUE AND WHITE PORCELAIN Many collectors admired Chinese blue and white porcelain. These pieces were owned by the artists James McNeill Whistler and Dante Gabriel Rossetti, who began collecting in the 1860s. The most important dealer selling such porcelain was Murray Marks (1840-1918) whose business card showed a painting by Whistler of a blue and white jar.(27/03/2003) |
| 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. Made at the Jingdezhen kilns in Jiangxi Province, China;; |
| Production | Kangxi reign period |
| Summary | Object Type Vessels of this shape are called 'ginger jars' in the West, because they were often imported containing ginger. In China they were used to hold a variety of substances or were simply ornamental objects. Time In China porcelain with cobalt blue designs painted under the glaze first became popular during the 14th century. Motifs on blue and white porcelain included figurative scenes from well-known novels and legends. During the Qing dynasty (1644-1911) the potters at the Jingdezhen kilns in south China created many different types of porcelain adorned with a large variety of decoration, including rich monochrome glazes and cobalt blue decoration. The Qing dynasty reign mark of Kangxi (1662-1722) can be seen on the base of this jar. Porcelains of the Kangxi period are renowned for their clear colour and painterly decoration, as exemplified here. During this period medium-sized jars and bowls were often decorated with garden scenes depicting scholars, women and children at leisure. Materials & Making The cobalt blue pigment was painted directly on to the porcelain body, which was then covered with a clear glaze and fired to a temperature of between 1280 and 1350ºC. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | C.836&A-1910 |
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| Record created | March 27, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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