873 - Lidded Jar (Yinni He) by He Xuren

Lidded Jar (Yinni He) by He Xuren China, late Qing Dynasty – Republican era. Porcelain, decorated in grisaille and enamel colors, glazed. H. approx. 7.5 cm, D. 12.5 cm. The lid bears a title inscription and the signature “He Xuren,” followed by his iron-red seal. On the base, beneath the glaze, is the seal “Xuren Chupin.” Condition: well-preserved. This seal paste jar (Yinnihe) was originally used to store seal paste. The finely executed decoration depicts a winter river landscape typical of He Xuren, featuring fishermen and mountainous scenery, and impressively illustrates his style, which was influenced by classical Chinese landscape painting. Yinnihe jars of this size are rarely found and are therefore particularly collectible. He Xuren (1882–1940), a member of the “Eight Friends of Zhushan,” is considered one of the most significant porcelain painters of the Republican era and is particularly known for his masterfully executed winter landscapes and snowy scenes on porcelain. His works are prized for their elegant brushwork and poetic charm and often evoke traditional Chinese landscape painting. Signed pieces from the 1920s and 1930s are highly sought after by collectors and regularly appear at major international auctions.