'Tradescant' jar

This is a fine example of the type of storage jars, known as Tradescant jars, produced in southern China during the Ming period (1368-1644) and exported to Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines. Of ovoid form, it is painted with a vibrant green lead glaze and boasts rather elegant decoration of applied floral scrolls. The jar possesses a robust quality typical of storage containers produced at the kilns in Guangdong and Fujian, yet the condition of the glaze and rendering of the ornamentation is better than many examples. Such vessels are named after the botanist Sir John Tradescant (died 1627). He and his son of the same name have been associated with such jars, which they had collected among the other articles on their travels.

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