Monumental Dragon & Phoenix Egg Jar

This monumental ceramic vessel is a 19th century Chinese pickling jar, decorated in shallow relief with a brown and mustard-yellow glazed finish. Large glazed earthenware jars such as this were used for storing dry food, pickling vegetables or fermenting grains into wine, vinegar or other condiments.

These large jars are sometimes known as "tapayan" or "martaban" jars in the West, due to historic trade routes through southeast Asia. The design of this example suggests it was most likely used for preparing century eggs (pídàn 皮蛋), a preserved egg delicacy that takes many weeks to prepare.

The monumental pot has a gently tapered form with a wide base, sloping shoulders and a rounded lip. The exterior is decorated with a large sinuous dragon and phoenix flying amidst clouds towards a flaming pearl, a motif of power, success and harmony in marriage. These mythical creatures are enclosed by bands of waves and abstract florals, all brushed by hand in white clay slip atop the earthenware form and intricately etched for added texture.