Jars with this decoration are quite common on the antiques market but hardly any description of them are published.

These jars have become a standard item among interior decorators who wants to add an Asian flavor thanks to its generous proportions and charming associations to the mysteries of foreign lands.

It's decoration in underglaze blue and white cobalt decoration is of sweet pea vines, symbolizing "forever" and "many children". The main decorative item is a "double shou" character which is the clearly understood symbol of "wedded bliss".

These jars most probably belongs to the later part of the Qing dynasty, or mid 19th century.

From a collectors point of view it is worth noticing that the lids are much more rare then the Jars, and that the price for a Jar with lid often is twice that of one without.

The double shou "Wedded bliss" character is sometimes thought to mean "Ginger", which is an interesting suggestion but wrong. I have yet to find one of these jars with a double Ginger character, but, you never know.

Sincerely,
Jan-Erik Nilsson

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