386 - XUANDE BLUE-AND-WHITE SMALL JAR WITH LINGZHI DECORATION

XUANDE BLUE-AND-WHITE SMALL JAR WITH LINGZHI DECORATION Dimensions: Height 8,4 cm Wide 10,6 cm Depth 10,6 cm Weight: 327 grams A compact blue-and-white porcelain jar of compressed globular form, with a short neck and slightly everted mouth. Linked lingzhi motifs form a continuous scrolling band around the body, their cloud-like outlines painted in varying tones of cobalt. Stylised petal borders frame the main design above and below. Lingzhi, the auspicious fungus associated with longevity and spiritual attainment, was a versatile motif in Chinese decorative arts. Its branching forms lent themselves to rhythmic repeating patterns on ceramics. The balanced arrangement of the decoration suits the jar's broad rounded proportions.