Covered Jar

Unknown Artist

late 17th–early 18th century

Covered Jar by Unknown Artist

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

Flowers

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 ...

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