A fine blue and white cylindrical jar and cover - Qianlong

Finely painted around the recessed neck with a band of stylised sea with turbulent foaming waves, the wide central section with a band of irregular cracked ice filled with flower blossoms and containing panels of lotus scrolls, between wider bands of similar leafy lotus meander on the shoulder and above the straight foot with alternating floral lappets, the cover similarly painted and with a flower blossom finial. 28cm (11in) high. (2). Sold for £15,000 plus Premium and tax

Footnote: A similar pair without covers was sold at Christies London, 15 December 1983, lot 434.

Another example, without cover and dating to the first half of the 15th century, is in the Freer Gallery of Art, Washington, illustrated, Sekai Toji Zenshu, vol. 11, pl. 59.

This shape is also known as 'albarello'; see Stephen Little, Chinese Ceramics of The Transitional Period 1620-1683 p. 115, where he mentions that this shape first appeared in Chinese blue and white wares in the early 15th century, when it was copied directly from a Middle Eastern prototype.

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Bonhams. Fine Asian Art, 6 Nov 2006. New Bond Street