Chinese Phoenix Ewer with Jiajing Mark

• Jiajing Mark - The Jiajing mark on Chinese porcelain refers to the reign mark of the Jiajing Emperor (r. 1521-1567) of the Ming Dynasty in China. The mark usually appears as six characters in underglaze blue on the base of the porcelain object and indicates that the object was made during the Jiajing period of the Ming Dynasty.
  
  The Jiajing reign was a time of great artistic production and experimentation in China, particularly in the field of porcelain. The Jiajing Emperor was a patron of the arts and his reign saw the development of new decorative techniques and styles, including the use of underglaze blue decoration, which became a hallmark of Ming Dynasty porcelain.
  
  It should be noted that not all porcelain objects with a Jiajing mark are necessarily from the Jiajing period, as the mark has been copied and imitated by later generations of potters.
• Ewer / Pitcher - A type of jug with a narrow neck bulbous body and wide spout, originally used for carrying and storing liquids such as water or wine. In medieval times they were the source of water to wash ones hands during and after a meal. later the shape was used for vessels in silver, gold, glass and ceramics.
  
  In Victorian times they were made in ceramics and occasionally glass with a matching basin, and sometimes other accessories such as a soap holder or toothbrush holder. Their purpose was to provide facilities for personal washing In the early 19th century were often enclosed in purpose built stands, and later resided on a washstand..
  
  Sometimes the words "ewer" and "pitcher" are used interchangably, but a pitcher is generally considered to be a jug, and would have a wide mouth, and a gently tapering body.

This item has been included into following indexes:

• Chinese ceramics, item type
  • ewers 70
  • jugs and ewers 147