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Subject:Help with Chinese Qing Temple Jar - any info is appreciated!
Posted By: Kathy Wiram Thu, May 14, 2009 IP: 68.59.216.85

Hello, I am currently researching a lovely Chinese Temple Jar with lid. The ONLY items I have found that have similarities were sold in European Auctions houses for a "hefty" sum over the past year. This perhaps is a European Import, Famille Rose. All items were listed as Qing.
If you have ever researched an item until you no longer even know what to ask, that's me now, so I'd appreciate ANY THOUGHS what so ever. Kat

Below Link: First 3 pictures are of the 3 European Auction House items, Last 3 are of my jar. Measures 11" high w/lid x 9" wide. A tad dirty, as I still need to work on it, it was a mess.

Link :Photos of all 4 items


Subject:Re: Help with Chinese Qing Temple Jar - any info is appreciated!
Posted By: PyroManiac Thu, May 14, 2009

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but your jar is a modern item. It's not a fake as it was never meant to deceive. It's just a modern decorative jar widely available in many Chinese gift shops in Chinatown or a slew of other import art shops. In the lin k you provided the only two items that were Qing are the large bowl and the mug. Those two date the the 18th century and are in the "Mandarin" palatte. The rest are modern. If someone sold you the jar as antique, you should have a little chat with them.

Subject:Re: Help with Chinese Qing Temple Jar - any info is appreciated!
Posted By: Cal Thu, May 14, 2009

Kathy,

A straight-on photo of bottom showing footrim would help. Also a photo of the inside of the lid showing the rim that fits into the jar top.

From your low-resolution photos, first impression is that this is a European product. It combines a shape somewhat resembling Chinese form with non-Chinese aspects.

The painting looks 19th-century European in style, but could be 20th century. Cannot tell anything about the enamels, without in-focus closeups. The painting does not end neatly at the foot rim.

The lid looks too thick. The jar is lopsided. On the side with the horseman, there is a vertical indentation. Could it have been broken, repaired and overpainted? What does it look like inside - are there visible cracks?

I cannot be sure that it is porcelain rather than stoneware.

It is not a 'Temple Jar'. The shape is a blend of what is called 'baluster' in the West and the utility storage jar ('ginger jar') shape. A product intended for temple use would have very traditional design of the 8 treasures, floral scrolls, etc., not Western-style landscape.

Perhaps more photos (inside of lid, jar base, closeups of decoration) would tell more of the story.

Good luck,
Cal

Subject:Re: Help with Chinese Qing Temple Jar - any info is appreciated!
Posted By: Bill H Sun, May 17, 2009

Hello Kat,
Your jar looks like the type of Chinese-made decorative wares that were produced during the last quarter of the 20th century, some by factories in Hong Kong and Macao. I've seen a few better-made pieces such as yours that were sold at department and chain stores as part of matching ensembles, which included items like drapes, bedspreads, pillow shams, etc. While probably more expensive when originally sold, vases like yours sell as "vintage" in antique and consignment stores around Northeastern Florida in the US$ 20-30 range.
Regards.
Bill H.


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