Cleveland Museum of Art
Baluster Jar and Cover
- Date
- 1600–1650
- Medium
- Porcelain with wucai (five-color) enamels
- Culture
- China, Jiangxi province, Jingdezhen kilns, Ming dynasty (1368–1644) or Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
- Department
- Chinese Art
- Institution
- Cleveland Museum of Art
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.
The authoritative record is held by Cleveland Museum of Art. LinkedCulture surfaces this object and its connections; it does not alter institutional metadata.
Related across collections
Semantically similar works from Cleveland Museum of Art and other institutions.
Baluster covered jar with flowering plants and auspicious symbols in panels
Rijksmuseum
Covered baluster jar with figures in an interior behind framework, prunus trees and floral scrolls
Rijksmuseum
Covered baluster jar with figures in an interior behind framework, prunus trees and floral scrolls
Rijksmuseum
Baluster covered jar with floral scrolls and auspicious symbols
Rijksmuseum
Baluster covered jar with powder blue and flowering plants and animals in panel decoration
Rijksmuseum
Baluster covered jar with figures in panels
Rijksmuseum
Baluster covered jar with figures in panels
Rijksmuseum
Baluster covered jar with figures in panels
Rijksmuseum
Baluster covered jar with horsemen in landscapes and flower sprays
Rijksmuseum
Baluster covered jar with flower baskets, flower sprays and insects
Rijksmuseum
Baluster jar
Minneapolis Institute of Art
Baluster covered jar with flower baskets, flower sprays and insects
Rijksmuseum