Lidded jar, China (Jingdezhen), Qing dynasty, 1650-1660. Porcelain, painted in underglaze blue and coloured enamels. Height: 42 cm, Diameter: 26.5 cm Museum number: 78&A-1883 © V&A Images. 

This porcelain lidded jar is painted with numerous boys playing in a garden. The motif was popular for a long time in imperial China. This object is a fine example of technological achievement in ceramic decoration using a combination of cobalt blue and coloured enamels. It would have served as a storage jar.