A ‘BLUE AND WHITE’ JAR

13.

A ‘BLUE AND WHITE’ JAR
Ming dynasty, early 17th century
21,8 cm high
Naples, Villa della Floridiana, Museo Duca di Martina, collezione Placido de Sangro (1829-1891).
inv. n. 3451.

The main decoration on the jar are pine, prunus and bamboo, with the combination of the three also known as the “Three Friends of Winter” (suihan sanyou). Together they symbolise steadfastness, perseverance and resilience. The gnarled pine is painted in the form of a stylised shou (“longevity”) character.

See a related jar, dated as Jiajing period, in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York (inv. 17.118.3); and another, late 16th/ 17th century, in the Asian Civilisations Museum, Singapore (inv. n. 1996-00501).