2012.91.177, ginger jar; Republic period, about 1930
Eason Eige Collection; photo by B. Bernard
2012.91.177, ginger jar; Republic period, about 1930
Eason Eige Collection; photo by B. Bernard
At first, jars of this shape were used to transport spices including ginger. In time, carefully decorated "ginger jars" were sold as art objects—but this one, we suspect, was made to be a container. The sloppy glaze and linework suggest as much. The wooden lid was probably added by a collector.
This pot stands 9 inches (23 cm) tall.
The writing is the Chinese character for "joy" repeated twice, also known
as the "double happiness" symbol. At the time the pot was made, however,
China was in upheaval and life was often anything but happy.
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