QING DYNASTY, 18TH CENTURY

The albarello jar is a distinctive vessel form that was introduced in Chinese porcelain during the Yongle and Xuande reigns, most likely adapted from Islamic ceramic prototypes. The form was produced in underglaze blue, and celadon examples were also produced by the Longquan kilns during the early Ming dynasty. The form persisted throughout the Qing dynasty, when it was made in underglaze blue, such as the present example; underglaze blue and copper-red; doucai; and different monochrome glazes.