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Source Description
The central motif on this jar is a mountain emerging from the sea, symbolizing Mount Sumeru in Buddhist cosmology, and representing the central axis in the universe in Daoism. White cherry blossoms floating on the wavy ground are surrounded by auspicious symbols such as the coin for wealth and the lozenge for victory. The yellow knob on the jar’s cover depicts a cherry blossom. Other fortuitous motifs—such as the leaf of protection, the pearl to grant wishes, the stone chime for celebration, rocks symbolizing longevity—also decorate the lid. While most jars have lost their covers over time, this jar retains its original lid.
Scholar Source Context
Document identity
localId
75575
label
Baluster Jar and Cover
core
obj
dtoType
object
pageCount
1
Source metadata
id
75575
contentType
object
title
Baluster Jar and Cover
description
The central motif on this jar is a mountain emerging from the sea, symbolizing Mount Sumeru in Buddhist cosmology, and representing the central axis in the universe in Daoism. White cherry blossoms floating on the wavy ground are surrounded by auspicious symbols such as the coin for wealth and the lozenge for victory. The yellow knob on the jar’s cover depicts a cherry blossom. Other fortuitous motifs—such as the leaf of protection, the pearl to grant wishes, the stone chime for celebration, rocks symbolizing longevity—also decorate the lid. While most jars have lost their covers over time, this jar retains its original lid.
date
1600–1650
rights
CC0
rightsUri
CC0
language
en
wikidata
Q87480813
genreSpecific
Ceramic
imageCount
1
source
import
dimensionsRaw
Overall: 36.8 x 23.8 cm (14 1/2 x 9 3/8 in.)
cul
China, Jiangxi province, Jingdezhen kilns, Ming dynasty (1368–1644) or Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
accession
2020.179
Source extras
tec
Porcelain with wucai (five-color) enamels
tombstone
Baluster Jar and Cover, 1600–1650. China, Jiangxi province, Jingdezhen kilns, Ming dynasty (1368–1644) or Qing dynasty (1644–1911). Porcelain with wucai (five-color) enamels; overall: 36.8 x 23.8 cm (14 1/2 x 9 3/8 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Nancy F. and Joseph P. Keithley Collection Gift, 2020.179
collection
China - Ming Dynasty
didYouKnow
The waves are depicted in a rich aubergine, or purple, glaze.
citations
citation
S. Marchant & Son. <em>Exhibition of Two Hundred Years of Chinese Porcelain 1522-1722 to Be Held from Sunday 7th June Until Friday 19th June 1998</em>. London: S. Marchant & Son, 1998.
page_number
Mentioned and Reproduced: no. 41, p. 56
citation
Von Spee, Clarissa. "Chinese Ceramics and Works on Paper." In <em>The Keithley Collection at the Cleveland Museum of Art, </em>edited by Heather Lemonedes Brown, 194–229. Cleveland, OH: The Cleveland Museum of Art, 2022.
page_number
Mentioned and Reproduced: pp. 220–221; Mentioned: pp. 259–261
creditline
Nancy F. and Joseph P. Keithley Collection Gift
updatedAt
2026-06-11 12:17:39.002000
sourceId
75575
dept
Chinese Art
coll
China - Ming Dynasty
med
Porcelain with wucai (five-color) enamels
thumbnail_url
image_url
Single page context
seq
1
pageIndex
0
type
photo
mediaId
f9feadf520754186