The exterior is vividly decorated with a dynamic cavalry battle scene, rendered with exceptional precision and lifelike detail. The depiction of horses and soldiers, the folds of garments, and the weaponry all reflect a strong sense of pictorial tension and craftsmanship characteristic of Qing Dynasty Guan(官)-quality. The design inherits the battle motifs of Ming prototypes and represents an early Qing reinterpretation. Traditional decorative bands of lotus scrolls and cloud motifs encircle the shoulder and lower body, lending visual balance and structural harmony to the vessel.
The glaze surface shows softening of gloss due to prolonged submersion underwater, with traces of salt infiltration, oxidation, and marine organism evident on the unglazed foot—indicators of underwater burial. The cobalt-based blue pigment, composition, and brushwork all exhibit the distinctive traits of early Qing blue-and-white porcelain. During this period, the use of purified cobalt suitable for high-temperature firing became widespread, making blue-and-white ware a dominant technique for both imperial and export ceramics.
Period : Qing Dynasty(Presumably Kangxi or Yongzheng Period)
Type : Jar
Medium : Blue and White glaze
Dimension : 33cm(Height) x 7cm(Mouth Diameter)
Condition : Excellent(Although it was soaked in hot water to remove the salt at the time of acquisition, slight salt residue remains on the surface. )
Provenance: Southeast Asia, South China Sea from Shipwreck in early 2000s
Reference :
1) Christies Hong Kong 26 SEP 2024 - Lot 2
(Price realised : 819,000 HKD / Type : related)
https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-6495108?ldp_breadcrumb=back
