Covered Jar
Unknown Artist
16th century
Medium
Porcelain
Dimensions
H. 17 in. (43.2 cm)
Classification
Ceramics
Culture & Period
China · Ming dynasty (1368–1644)
Department
Asian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Bequest of John L. Cadwalader, 1914
Accession Number
14.58.236a, b
Tags
Art Historical Context
This elegant covered jar, standing at 17 inches (43.2 cm) tall, exemplifies the masterful porcelain production of China's Ming dynasty (1368–1644), specifically from the 16th century. Crafted by an unknown artist, it hails from the vibrant kilns likely in Jingdezhen, the epicenter of imperial porcelain manufacturing. The jar's form—practical yet refined, with a fitted lid—served both utilitarian and ceremonial purposes in elite households, holding precious spices, teas, or oils. Ming porcelain represents a pinnacle of ceramic artistry, achieved through high-temperature firing that yields the ...