A RARE WUCAI 'FISH' JAR JIAJING MARK AND PERIOD

the tapering ovoid body surmounted by a short neck with lipped rim, painted to the exterior with carp swimming in a lotus pond admist aquatic plants, framed by a lappet band above and ruyi heads below, the neck encircled with a classic scroll band, the base inscribed with a six-character Jiajing mark, Japanese wood box

A Japanese Private Collection.

This rare jar has been well restored from several pieces with evidence of overpainting to three areas of the rim, through the body and across base. There is also some flaking and scratches to the enamels. Under UV examination it is not possible to detect any significant areas of non original porcelain, although as the jar has been in several pieces it is likely to have suffered some loss. The mark has been completely over-painted on top of the majority of the original mark – there is evidence of underglaze blue on the edges of the new over-glaze mark.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Two closely related jars from the Oppenheim collection and now in the British Museum are illustrated in Jessica Harrison-Hall, Ming Ceramics, London, 2001, pls 9:117 and 9:118; another in the Metropolitan Museum, New York, is published in Suzanne G. Valenstein, A Handbook of Chinese Ceramics, New York, 1989, pl. 169; and a third from the collection of Mrs Otto Harriman, included in several exhibitions including the Oriental Ceramics Society Arts of the Ming Dynasty, London, 1957, cat. no. 204, was sold in these rooms, 9^thJune 1987, lot 238.

The Jiajing emperor was a fervent patron of Daoism and the motifs that decorated the arts of his reign were steeped in Daoist imagery and iconography. Fish as an image of freedom from restraints have played an important part in Daoist thought and the association is found in the ancient Daoist classic, Zhuangzi, of the late 5^th century BC. For a discussion on fish jars of the Jiajing period, see Regina Krahl, ‘The Pleasure of Fishes’, Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, Sotheby’s New York, 11^th/12^th September 2012, pp 196-199.