Description: Two ginger jar with lids. (1) 7.5 H, 5.5" W, 6.5" D.(2) 6.5" H, 5" W, 6" D.

History: From Antiques and Art Around Florida by Lorena Overstreet Allen, M.Ed., ISA Most of the porcelain shipped from China to the West during the 17th Century through the 19th Century was formerly known as "China trade porcelain", although now it is commonly referred to as Chinese export porcelain, including the blue and white Canton ware. Canton porcelain was manufactured and fired in the kilns at the Provence of Ching-Te Chen, then sent by the East India Trading Company to the seaside port of Canton for the final decorating process by Chinese artists and craftsmen working in the enameling shops. Thus the name "Canton" alludes as much to the decoration and design on the ware as well as its port of export. Chinese Canton ware was shipped to Europe and America in the holds of cargo ships which resulted in its becoming known as "ballast ware". It became part of Post Revolutionary American history, an age when New Englanders from Salem and Boston eagerly awaited their shiploads of porcelain from the Far East. The Canton blue and white patterned dinner and tea sets were favored by George Washington as well as the merchant classes. Eventually, it became an integral part of important private, as well as public, collections throughout Post Revolutionary America, being the province of the collector and curator.Between 1800 to approximately 1860 the United States was the principal market for all Chinese export porcelain, although there was virtually no production from 1839 to 1860 because of China’s Opium Wars. By 1890 the United States government required all imports to be marked with their country of origin, hence "CHINA" or "MADE IN CHINA" is displayed on the foot of the later wares, simplifying the dating process. The U.S. Stamp Act of 1894 mandated the imprint of “Made In China” on all export porcelain although in the early 20th Century some Canton ware still arrived with only paper labels.Utilitarian in appearance with outer rims having unsymmetrical ridges and indentations, Canton has several characteristics that distinguish it from other Chinese export porcelains although it is very similar to the blue and white Nanking pattern. Both Canton and Nanking ware are hand painted with a composition of a coastal village scene consisting of tea house, arched bridges, willow trees, meandering streams and distant mountains and an absence of figures. The most obvious difference between Canton and Nanking patterns is noted in the design of the borders of each. The border of Canton patterns has a blue lattice network and inner border of wavy or scalloped lines called “clouds” while Nanking borders are diapered with a geometric lattice and spearhead design and may have an application of burnished gold. Unlike the aesthetically finer quality and reliable color of Nanking ware, Canton pigments vary in intensity from a washed out gray-blue to cobalt blue, depending on the varied intensities of heat within the kiln during the firing process. These thick grayish to cobalt pigments and glazes adhere closely to the body. Another distinguishing characteristic is the coarser textured examples of Canton ware which may have a residue of ash embedded in the clay resulting in the descriptive term “oatmeal” applied to such pieces.

Provenance: Arthur J Connolly

Dimensions: Weight (Pounds & Ounces) = 5.125 | Height(in) = 7.5 | Width(in) = 14 | Depth(in) = 8

Size of Artwork(in): 7.5 x 5.5 x 6.5" largest

Artist Name: Chinese

Medium: White porcelain

Circa: C. 1870

One minor chip on rim of smaller jar, under lid.