Ming Dynasty Blue and White Melon-Lobed Jar

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Ming Dynasty Blue and White Melon-Lobed Jar

The melon-ribbed jar was a popular vessel type during the Ming Dynasty, named for its melon-ribbed body. Large quantities were produced during the Jiajing and Wanli periods. This jar features a foliate mouth, sloping shoulders, a constricted waist, and a short ring foot, with a charmingly stout, melon-ribbed body. The neck is decorated with a key-fret pattern, and the base shows traces of trimming and an uneven glazed surface.

Catalogue No.: 294

Height 14.5cm, caliber 9.5cm

Starting Bid: RMB 4,600

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The melon-ribbed jar was a popular vessel type during the Ming Dynasty, named for its melon-ribbed body. A large quantity was fired during the Jiajing and Wanli periods. This jar features a flaring rim, sloping shoulders, a constricted waist, and a short ring foot. Its body is stout and lovely in the shape of melon ribs. The neck is decorated with a key fret pattern. The base shows traces of trimming and the glaze surface at the bottom is uneven. The glaze is pure white, slightly coarse, with an overall white hue tinged with green. The blue and white coloring is somewhat greyish. The body is fully painted with a squirrel and grape motif. Several squirrels are hidden among the plump grape clusters and dense foliage, jumping up and down. The squirrel and grape motif symbolizes abundant harvest, fertility, vitality, and health, especially popular in the late Ming Dynasty. The bottom-most band is decorated with an upward-facing lotus pattern. The overall decorative composition is intricate and dense, exaggerated and vibrant, embodying the bold and unrestrained style of freehand brushwork, creating a strong visual impact. It serves as a prime example of blue and white porcelain from the Wanli period.

Keywords:

荣艺庭芳中国近现代艺术品专场

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