A CHINESE FAMILLE ROSE KENDI

Qing dynasty, 18th century, Yongzheng period

The ovoid body painted in coloured enamels with vertical stripes, with an iron-red band of stylised foliage and blossoms to the shoulder applied with a bulbous spout, the neck with a flared rim painted with banana leaves fixed with copper mounts

24cm

A very similar example to the present lot was featured in the exhibition The Forbidden City and the Maritime Silk Road held by the Palace Museum in May 2017.

清雍正 十八世纪 粉彩条带花卉纹军持

The jun chi (military ewer) is a distinctive and commonly seen form in Chinese ceramics. The term is a transliteration of the Sanskrit word kundikā and the Hindustani kundi, meaning water vessel. Originally used by Indian Buddhists for drinking, handwashing, or rinsing the mouth after meals, this form was introduced to China along with Buddhism during the Han dynasty. It continued to be produced through successive dynasties in a variety of materials. From the Song and Yuan dynasties onward, ceramic Jun Chi were also widely exported as trade wares to Southeast Asia. These export wares were mostly produced by kilns in regions such as Fujian, Jiangxi and Guangdong. After arriving overseas, local craftsmen often added metal mounts around the mouth and spout, enhancing both their beauty and durability.