China
Kangxi 1662-1722
This rare pair of blue and white jugs is an exquisite example of traditional Chinese porcelain, richly decorated with symbolic motifs. Painted in cobalt blue, each jug features two recesses, each depicting a pair of boys carrying a lotus. In Chinese culture, the lotus (“lian”) forms a rebus representing a wish for continuous male offspring, enhancing the symbolic significance of the design.
The boys are traditionally dressed like babies, wearing nothing more than a bib fastened around their necks, with their hair shaved in the customary style. The jugs are adorned with additional symbols, including a swastika on the lid and rim, and a luck symbol on the neck, completing the auspicious message of prosperity and endless fortune. On the back, a linzhi mushroom, symbolizing immortality, and the front displays a lozenge for victory and success on one jug and a beautiful flower on the other, adding beauty and charm.
These intricately detailed pieces, with the boys’ traditional attire and symbolic decoration, represent a rare and highly collectible set. Although one lid has a small restored chip, the rarity and artistic craftsmanship make this pair a remarkable find. Height: 21 cm.
