GRV 1929-155, Jar and cover

Jar of baluster shape, cylindrical neck and stepped, unglazed base with a fuku (good luck) seal mark. On the sides in underglaze blue and red, yellow, green and aubergine enamels and black outlines in a continuous scene a seated couple with attendants on the terrace of a pavilion in front of a screen receiving a scholar and attendants bringing gifts. The cover with three children at play in a rocky landscape. Around the shoulder a stone wall pattern, the neck with fruit sprays and rocks.

Porcelain decorated in underglaze blue combined with polychrome enamels, popular in the Wanli era (1573-1619) became fashionable again during the reign of Shunzhi (1644-1661). In this so-called wucai style, the underglaze blue areas are an integral part of the total design and cannot be understood separately. The story of the scene depicted is probably taken from an illustration in 'The Romance of Thanksgiving Thrice', published in 1642. The story is about Xianyu Tong who passed the official examinations and rose to high position in the court. Every year he visits his former teacher Kuai Yushi with presents to thank him. Kuai and his wife are seated surrounded by their children and grandchildren, most of them in official court costumes. The form of this jar is regarded as characteristic of Shunzhi porcelain, being produced only in this period. This jar came from Indonesia.