Lot Essay
Chenghua jars of large size are very rare and are characterized stylistically by the triangular plantain leaves exemplified on the present lot. Cf. a jar illustrated by Geng Baochang in Ming Qing Ciqi Jianding, Ming Section, fig. 78 where the central subject is banded by upright and pendent plantain leaves; another covered jar with human subject decoration below plantain leaves was sold in these Rooms, 23 March 1993, lot 718
a brig
The trellis and lotus panel bands on the present lot are a throwback to Yuan blue and white porcelain; cf. dishes with trellis borders, illustrated by Pope, Chinese Porcelains from the Ardebil Shrine, pls. 8, 9, 13 and 15; cf. ibid., pls. 7, 12, 24 and 27 for similar lotus panels; cf. a Yuan blue and white jar decorated with the 'Three Friends of Winter' illustrated in Mayuyama, Seventy Years, pl. 691.
Jars of this date with botanical subjects are more usually painted with flowering bushes rather than trees. Cf. a guan with peony bushes and ornamental rocks between triangular plantain leaves illustrated in Sekai Toji Zenshu, Shogakukan Series, vol. 14, pl. 161; cf. lot 720 in the present sale.
Two underglaze-red Hongwu examples also decorated with plantains, rockwork and the 'Three Friends of Winter' are illustrated in ibid., vol. 13, pls. 78 and 79
a brig
The trellis and lotus panel bands on the present lot are a throwback to Yuan blue and white porcelain; cf. dishes with trellis borders, illustrated by Pope, Chinese Porcelains from the Ardebil Shrine, pls. 8, 9, 13 and 15; cf. ibid., pls. 7, 12, 24 and 27 for similar lotus panels; cf. a Yuan blue and white jar decorated with the 'Three Friends of Winter' illustrated in Mayuyama, Seventy Years, pl. 691.
Jars of this date with botanical subjects are more usually painted with flowering bushes rather than trees. Cf. a guan with peony bushes and ornamental rocks between triangular plantain leaves illustrated in Sekai Toji Zenshu, Shogakukan Series, vol. 14, pl. 161; cf. lot 720 in the present sale.
Two underglaze-red Hongwu examples also decorated with plantains, rockwork and the 'Three Friends of Winter' are illustrated in ibid., vol. 13, pls. 78 and 79