Jingdezhen, China, post 1950. A large hand painted porcelain "Double Happiness" jar.
Measurements: 26cm high x 19cm diameter.
Condition: Some chips to rim of vase and to the underside of lid. Irregularities, glaze bursts and small black debris within glaze.
Provenance: The shuangxi symbol (double happiness symbol) is typically found on items used in relation to Chinese weddings. It appears in porcelain decorations from at least the early 19th century. It appears to have raised to great popularity around the time of the Tongzhi Emperors wedding that was to take place in 1872. This wedding was an occasion of unique historical significance at the time, since this was the first Imperial wedding after the period of Kangxi over 200 years earlier. It is likely that the popularity of this symbol stems from this highly celebrated event. This particular jar has joined our collection from a local Chinese family, who have reportedly had the item in their family since at least the 1970's.
