Late Qing Famille Rose Watermelon Covered Jars With Antique Treasures & Calligraphy Poetry Pair,Late Qing Dynasty

拍品描述

Measurements:Overall height 26 cm / 10.24 inches, maximum belly diameter 26.5 cm / 10.43 inches, 19th Century, Category: Ming & Qing Porcelain, Primary trading market: New York StateCondition & Provenance:The pair of jars are crafted with fine solid porcelain bodies, covered in smooth glossy white glaze. Each jar retains its original matching dome lid topped with a coral-red knob gilded with fine gold details, the lid surface painted with blooming floral sprigs. The front side of each jar is fully decorated with elaborate famille rose antique treasure motifs, including peonies, chrysanthemums, banana leaves, ancient bronze tripods, scroll books, vases and seasonal fruits. The multi-layer colored enamels remain vibrant with almost no large fading or wear. The reverse side bears handwritten black ink poetic calligraphy, signed by Yu Hongbin from Xin’an, with crisp, smooth brushstrokes and stable dark ink tone. The wide flat base foot ring shows natural aged rusty patina on exposed clay, dotted with tiny pinholes typical of late Jingdezhen folk kiln craftsmanship. Minor light wear only exists on the rim and base from long-term use; no hairline cracks, chips, repainted enamel or modern restoration on either jar. Surviving as an intact matching pair is extremely rare. These watermelon jars were purchased by a New York antique dealer in the 1980s, then collected by a respected private East Asian porcelain collector based in Brooklyn, New York State starting in 1992. They have been stored in temperature-controlled display cabinets for over thirty years, retaining untouched original surface patina, with full acquisition receipts and provenance paperwork, never consigned to auction prior to this offering.Object Description:This matching pair of famille rose watermelon covered jars were produced at folk kilns in Jingdezhen during the Late Qing Dynasty, a classic decorative and storage ceramic design widely popular among Chinese households in the 19th century. They earn the “watermelon jar” name from their plump, rounded bulbous silhouette. Each piece features broad rounded shoulders, a full bulging midsection tapering gently toward the base, paired with its original domed lid crowned with a small coral knob, creating a balanced, stately rounded form. The front exterior is adorned with densely detailed famille rose paintings of traditional antique scholarly treasures, weaving together peonies, autumn mums, banana foliage, antique bronze vessels, bound scrolls, ornamental vases and lucky citrus fruits. The composition balances dense detail and open negative space, artists used layered enamel glazes to create rich depth and dimension, blending bold vivid hues with soft muted tones that showcase masterful late Qing porcelain painting skill. The reverse features formal regular script poetry themed around antique appreciation, signed by artist Yu Hongbin from Xin’an, pairing elegant text with vivid imagery for sophisticated study-room aesthetic charm. The wide flat base foot ring displays neat hand-trimming techniques, the white base glaze is bright and sleek with natural aging discoloration along the glaze-clay junction. While single watermelon jars are fairly common antiques, intact matching pairs with fully preserved enamel, complete original lids, clear inscribed poetry and zero restorations are scarce collectibles. They hold great historical value for studying late Qing folk customs and porcelain painting craft, consistently ranking as top sought-after civilian porcelain lots at New York Asian antique auctions.

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