A 19th Century Qing Dynasty Famille Verte Jar & Cover

A late 19th century famille verte jar with cover, of bulbous form, with cartouches depicting antiques, flowers, birds and insects set upon a ground of coral red and white vermicelli.

The large cartouches on either side of this jar depict opposing subject matters: one showing a natural body of water with overgrown grass, water reeds and flowers; the other depicting secular objects of virtue and beauty. The two juxtapose nature with art, the wild with the manmade, anarchy with order and the godly with the secular.

Qing Dynasty, Gungxu Period (1875 – 1908)