This November, Sotheby’s Chinese Art auction in London features over 170 lots of Ming and Qing porcelains, early ceramics, jades and more. Leading this sale is an exceptionally rare and magnificent pair of wucai 'fish' jars and covers from the Jiajing period.
The colourful ponds on these jars emit such positive vibrations that they instantly brighten up their environment. The transparent waters, which let us follow the quiet movement of golden carp and a rich flora of lotus and other plants swaying in tune, cannot fail to have a soothing effect on our minds. The bold, unaffected painting style and the pleasing roundness of their form are designed to make these massive vessels irresistibly endearing. Potters and painters working for the Jiajing Emperor (r. 1522–1566) knew how to evoke the Elysian calm that he strove to achieve and that his Daoist masters endeavoured to convey to him.
The sale takes place at Sotheby's London on 6 November.
