Antique 'Double Happiness' Ginger Jar from Canton, China - purchased around fifty years ago there. Colourful yellow, green, blue and red decorate this oviform glazed piece that is in very good condition, including the lid, which is the original and topped with a red finial. Lower yellow border, red calligraphy panels surrounded by red, yellow and pink flowers. We estimate that this piece is late 19th. Century made for the Straits Chinese Market - Nyonya/Peranakan.  The colours are typical of the style.

Well trimmed rounded foot that slopes inwards & base shows ceramic inclusions and imperfections typical of older peices.
It is unusual insomuch as these type of jars are normally blue and white. Yellow was the emperor's color in Imperial China and is held as the symbolic color of the five legendary emperors of ancient China.

Typically the character "囍" is written in Chinese calligraphy, and frequently appears on traditional decorative items, associated with the lunar new year celebrations. Double happiness symbols are often found in conjunction with wedding ceremonies as well as on gift items given to the bride and groom.

Dimensions : 8.75ʺW × 8.75ʺD × 9ʺH