JIAJING SIX-CHARACTER MARK IN UNDERGLAZE BLUE WITHIN A DOUBLE CIRCLE AND OF THE PERIOD (1522-1566)

Cranes, as symbols of longevity, were a popular motif on Chinese ceramics. The design on this jar known as 'hundred cranes' was therefore particularly auspicious. The painting of designs on blue and white porcelains so that the ground appears blue and the individual motifs appear reserved in white was a feature of mid-Yuan and Xuande wares. This technique was time-consuming and required more skill than the normal blue on white designs, and thus was used less frequently during the later 15th century and early 16th century. The use of reserve decoration became popular again in the Jiajing and Wanli periods when various designs, particularly those of floral motifs were depicted in white against a blue ground.

A jar of similar decoration and size, but dated to the Wanli period (1573-1619), was sold at Christie's New York, 27 May 2008, lot 1861.