Lot Essay
The present jar belongs to a group of large blue and white jars and meiping of the 14th-16th centuries, depicting figures in landscapes and garden settings, that are taken from traditional literature and popular drama. The panoramic landscape scene is comparable to handscroll paintings of the early Ming period, although on the ceramic painting it required the joining of the scene at one side of the body by a series of stylised cloud scrolls to bring about an element of continuity.
Compare with a similar scene on a jar illustrated in Sekai Toji Zenshu, Shogakukan, 1976, vol. 14, pl. 35; where other jars are illustrated to demonstrate the varied combination of minor decorative bands, ibid., p. 231. The subject matter of these minor bands are alternated by application of flower scrolls, cartouches or turbulent waves on the shoulder, and upright plantain leaves, turbulent waves or floral scrolls around the tapered foot.
Compare with a similar scene on a jar illustrated in Sekai Toji Zenshu, Shogakukan, 1976, vol. 14, pl. 35; where other jars are illustrated to demonstrate the varied combination of minor decorative bands, ibid., p. 231. The subject matter of these minor bands are alternated by application of flower scrolls, cartouches or turbulent waves on the shoulder, and upright plantain leaves, turbulent waves or floral scrolls around the tapered foot.