XL Antique 19thC China “Ming Style” Blue + White Porcelain Jar Vase Foo Dog Lion

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XL Antique 19thC China “Ming Style” Blue + White Porcelain Jar Vase Foo Dog Lion:
$499.99

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Exceptionally Well Preserved Genuine 19th Century Qing Dynasty Chinese Blue and White (“Ming”) Porcelain Jar/Vase.

CLASSIFICATION: Blue and White Porcelain Jar.

ATTRIBUTION: Ancient China, Qing Dynasty, 19th Century.

SIZE/MEASUREMENTS:

Height: 232 millimeters (8 1/2 inches)

Diameter: 225 millimeters (8 1/2 inches) at shoulder; 144 millimeters (5 inches) at base; 118 millimeters (3 3/4 inches) at top lip.

CONDITION: Exceptionally good, almost perfectly preserved. A little wear consistent with any household item which is over a century old. The typical blemishes of hand production (warts and dimples, zits and pits). Not flawless, but certainly in an excellent state of preservation.

DETAIL: A splendidly preserved (large) soccer-ball-sized traditional blue and white porcelain jar. Both side of the vase depict a traditional mythological Chinese “foo dog” or guardian lion. The depiction is intricately rendered, very detailed, a rocky outcrop in the midst of a roiling sea, a trea, and what appear to be either flying bats or butterflies. The glaze is entirely intact, vibrant cobalt blue, and the condition of the jar is virtually perfect. There are of course a little minor wear – we’re not saying it is as when new. But this is as good as one can reasonably expect of a jar which is centuries old. Of course realistically one would expect some blemishes of a jar a century old, so there are no surprises here except that there are so few blemishes.

There are of course a few production blemishes, really not of any significance or seriousness, and quite typical of hand-crafted porcelain of the late Ming/early Qing Dynasties. These are normal potting blemishes associated with hand produced ceramics production (warts and dimples, zits and pits). All of these blemishes are virtually unnoticed – but we’re playing critic in the name of full disclosure. Overall it is an exceptionally attractive piece, and extraordinarily well preserved specimen of the ancient Chinese art of pottery. If you’d like an authentic ancient blue and white porcelain jar to proudly display, you could not go wrong with this one. It is solidly shaped, nicely featured, and perfectly proportioned. Filled with freshly cut flowers or foliage (or dried for that matter), you could display this one with great pride either at work on your desk or at home. Either way, it will certainly generate a great deal of attention and without a doubt more than a little envy!

HISTORY OF QING CERAMICS: The Qing (Ch’ing) Dynasty (1644-1911 A.D.) was the last imperial dynasty of China. Imperial patronage stimulated one of China\'s most intense periods of ceramic production, characterized by unmatched technical expertise and refinement in blue and white, monochrome, and polychrome ceramics. Colorful enamel porcelain overglazes were invented. The process of enameling was further developed, along with a nearly endless number of new shades for monochrome-glazed porcelain. An innovative new technique produced five-colored porcelains. Applying a variety of under-glaze pigments to decorative schemes of flower, landscape and figurative scenes, these five-colored porcelains gained great renown in Western Europe.

In almost every major European museum, you will find either five-colored or monochromatic porcelain (in blue, red, yellow or pink) from this period. The finest export wares were produced for European markets in the 17th and 18th centuries. Perhaps the most exciting pottery was produced in small, provincial workshops. The potters here did not compete with the elaborate imperial kilns, but instead created delightful wares for local patrons. Small porcelain items such as teapots, pen rests, and water droppers were commonly found on most any gentleman\'s desk from China to Europe.

HISTORY OF THE QING DYNASTY: For the second time in its history, China found itself ruled by outsiders when the Manchus took Beijing and overthrew the Ming Dynasty, establishing the last imperial dynasty, the Qing (1644-1911 A.D.). The Manchus retained many institutions of Ming and earlier Chinese Dynasties, continuing Confucian court practices and temple rituals. The Manchu emperors supported Chinese literary and historical projects of enormous scope. The survival of much of China\'s ancient literature is attributed to these projects. However the Manchu were suspicious of Han Chinese, so the Qing Dynasty rulers took steps to ensure that the Manchus were not simply absorbed into the larger, dominant Han Chinese population.

Han Chinese were prohibited from migrating into the Manchu homeland, and Manchus were forofferden to engage in trade or manual labor. Intermarriage between the two groups was forofferden. In many government positions a system of dual appointments was used--the Chinese appointee was required to do the substantive work and the Manchu to ensure Han loyalty to the Qing Dynasty. The Qing regime was determined to protect itself not only from internal rebellion but also from foreign invasion. After all of China had been subjugated, the Manchus conquered Outer Mongolia, gained control of much of Central Asia and Tibet.