Chinese Jars & Ginger Jars

Chinese jars are typically made of porcelain, and were created for the transportation of goods and spices. Chinese ginger jars in particular are characterized by a short body with a small opening that immediately flares into a wide shoulder, becoming smaller again towards the base. These ginger jars often come with a domed lid, but no handle. Jar decorations included, but were not limited to, paintings of carps, flowers, landscapes, and everyday life scenes.

While these jars were originally created in China during the Qing Dynasty for transporting ginger amongst other spices, ginger jars were in high demand during the 19th century for their appearance rather than function. Chinese jars were at that time not often used for their original function, but treated as decoration, or sometimes converted into lamps since ginger jars were short and bottom-heavy.

Quick Facts

• Chinese jars were often given as gifts; the different colors would imply different meanings. For example, a yellow jar was given to an emperor as yellow was the color of royalty
• Blue and white jars, not to be confused with the white wedding jar, was the typical style of porcelain jar during the MIng dynasty. During this time, the Qinghua porcelain painting style flourished
• Ginger jars did not transport ginger exclusively, but were also filled with tea, spices, and all different kinds of foods