Lot 28

A MONUMENTAL CHINESE WUCAI JAR, SHUNZHI PERIOD (1644-1661)

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A MONUMENTAL CHINESE WUCAI JAR, SHUNZHI PERIOD (1644-1661)

Estimate: £4,000 - £6,000

Current Bid: £3,000

(1 Bid)

June 18, 2026 1:00 PM BST
Live Auction
London, United Kingdom

Description:

A MONUMENTAL CHINESE WUCAI JAR, SHUNZHI PERIOD (1644-1661) A monumental Chinese wucai porcelain jar and cover, of baluster form, painted in underglaze blue and coloured enamels with a continuous figural scene. The main decoration shows elegant court ladies and attendants in a garden setting, among rockwork, trees and large fan-shaped panels. The shoulder is bordered with floral sprays, diaper-pattern bands and further landscape details, while the domed cover is similarly decorated and surmounted by a blue-glazed knop. The jar dates to the Shunzhi period, a short but important transitional phase between the late Ming and early Qing dynasties. Porcelain of this period often retains the lively, narrative energy of late Ming decoration, while also showing the increasing refinement associated with early Qing production. The wucai palette — literally “five colours” — combines underglaze cobalt blue with overglaze enamels, typically including green, red, yellow and aubergine tones. Here, the strong blue rockwork, green foliage and red details give the piece a bold decorative presence. Large Shunzhi jars of this type were prized both domestically and for export. Their figural scenes often draw on popular literature, courtly life or auspicious themes, and the scale of this example makes it especially imposing. The images show age-related wear, staining to the interior, rim and glaze wear, visible cracks or hairlines, and restoration or overpainting in places, particularly around the upper body and rim area. Height: 33 cm

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
£0 £99 £5
£100 £199 £10
£200 £499 £20
£500 £999 £50
£1,000 £1,999 £100
£2,000 £4,999 £200
£5,000 £9,999 £500
£10,000 £19,999 £1,000
£20,000 £49,999 £2,000
£50,000 £99,999 £5,000
£100,000 £199,999 £10,000
£200,000 £499,999 £20,000
£500,000 £999,999 £50,000
£1,000,000 + £100,000