These lions are in the late Ming manner, with characteristic coiled mane device and tail, terminating in a gaudy bloom of fur. Each lion bears the character wang (king) on the forehead. The base of the jar shows period correct reddish coloration and evidence of use and age, while the glaze has the expected distribution of small iron oxide pockmarks and other imperfections due to extreme age over 400 years. The rim is shod in a copper collar, obviously a later addition, to protect the lip of the jar, which probably saw considerable honest use in its day. The collar is firmly affixed, but we can surmise that the underlying lip has some chipping or other damage.
The middle of the jar bears a long hairline crack, which has oxidized, as the photos show. Overall, this is an exceptionally rare and fine piece, remarkable for the quintessentially Ming robustness of decorative execution and for its large size The lion motif was seldom used in porcelain and is more reminiscent of the bronzes of the period. The accompanying photo of another example of similar size and age, and also with the lion motif, is from the book Ming Porcelain by Daisy Goldschmidt Lion (1978). This piece is identified as period Wanli, c.
1600, and is in the permanent collection of the Ashmolean Museum of Oxford (Department of Antiquities). Height: 35 cm - 14 in tall. Weight: 16.5 lb - 7.5 kg. The item "Chinese Ming Wanli period blue and white porcelain jar 16th -17th Century" is in sale since Monday, January 21, 2019.
This item is in the category "Antiques\Asian Antiques\China\Vases". The seller is "thousandeye1" and is located in Rego Park, New York. This item can be shipped worldwide.