Blue and White Cricket Jar with Interlocking Melon and Fruit Scrolls, Xuande Reign, Ming Dynasty 15th Century

拍品描述

Dimensions: 12.6 cm (4.96 inches) in diameter, 8.7 cm (3.43 inches) in height. Dating back to the Xuande period of the Ming Dynasty, 15th century. Condition and Provenance: This jar is in excellent condition and comes with its original lid. The overall shape is symmetrical, and the cobalt blue pigment displays a rich and full color. All painted decorations are clear and complete. There is a minor glaze chip on the outer rim due to wear over time, but no minor cracks, breaks, drilling, or signs of later repair. The foot rim shows natural rust and signs of burial. The base bears a six-character underglaze blue mark reading "Made in the Xuande period of the Great Ming Dynasty," written in a flowing style. The lid also bears an inverted "Made in the Xuande period" mark, and there is a ventilation hole in the center of the inner side of the lid opening. The glaze exhibits a patina that has naturally developed over the years. This underglaze blue cricket jar was once traded in Hong Kong's antique market and is now in the private collection of a Ming and Qing porcelain collector residing in Texas. California and New York are important global trading centers for Ming and Qing antique porcelain. Description: This Xuande-style blue-and-white cricket jar is a rare gem among Ming dynasty court porcelain, made specifically for the entertainment of cricket fighting among members of the royal family and nobility. The jar has a low, drum-shaped body, with the entire exterior decorated with underglaze blue depictions of fruits and vegetables. Watermelons, vines, and leaves intertwine in a flowing, balanced pattern, showcasing typical characteristics of early Ming dynasty court porcelain painting. The matching lid is also decorated with fruit and vegetable patterns, and a small hole in the center of the inner side of the lid provides necessary airflow for keeping live crickets. The base bears the standard six-character Xuande mark; the inverted mark on the lid is a distinctive feature of Xuande cricket jars. Ming dynasty documents record the exalted status of Xuande cricket jars. Today, well-preserved Xuande cricket jars with their original lids are extremely rare. This piece vividly depicts the entertainment of cricket fighting in the Ming dynasty court and fully embodies the deep, rich cobalt blue aesthetics of Yongle-Xuande porcelain. It is important material evidence for studying the porcelain-making techniques and social customs of the Ming Dynasty imperial court, and an ideal choice for imperial museum-level porcelain-themed exhibitions. It remains a classic collectible coveted by early Western collectors of Ming Dynasty porcelain.

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