Covered Jar
Unknown Artist
late 17th–early 18th century
Medium
Porcelain painted in underglaze blue
Dimensions
H. 6 1/2 in. (16.5 cm)
Classification
Ceramics
Culture & Period
China · Qing dynasty (1644–1911), Kangxi period (1662–1722)
Department
Asian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Purchase by subscription, 1879
Accession Number
79.2.294a, b
Tags
Art Historical Context
This delicate covered jar, crafted in China during the Kangxi period (1662–1722) of the Qing dynasty exemplifies the era's mastery of porcelain artistry. Standing just 6½ inches tall, it served both practical and decorative purposes—likely for storing spices, tea, or cosmetics—while showcasing the imperial kilns' technical prowess. Produced in the late 17th to early 18th century such jars were highly prized export wares, traveling along trade routes to Europe and beyond, where they inspired local ceramics. The jar's medium, porcelain painted in underglaze blue, highlights a revered technique ...