QIANLONG SIX-CHARACTER SEAL MARK IN UNDERGLAZE BLUE AND OF THE PERIOD (1736-1795)

The jar is applied with two lion-mask handles and a band of bosses around the shoulder and above the foot, covered overall with an even soft green glaze. This type of vessel is named as huanang (flower holder) in the Qing court archives. On the 26th day of the 5th month of the Yongzheng 6th year, "a celadon-glazed huanang" was presented to the emperor, serving as the prototype for the present piece. Later, on the 13th day of the 10th month of the Qianlong 2nd year, "a drum-shaped double-handled huanang " was presented to Qianlong, indicating that this form was frequently produced during the Qianlong period.

Compare this rare jar with two related examples, one was included in An Exhibition of Important Chinese Ceramics from the Robert Chang Collection, London, 1993, cat. no. 67; one from the National Palace Museum, Taipei, collection number: zhongci 001162.