Antique Black Ground Famille Rose 'Butterfly' Ginger Jar - China - 19th Century

This Antique Black Ground Famille Rose 'Butterfly' Ginger Jar is an exceptional piece of Chinese porcelain from the 19th century, combining the elegance of traditional craftsmanship with the vibrant beauty of the Famille Rose palette. The jar is distinguished by its striking black ground, a rarer color choice that sets off the vivid butterfly motifs and creates a visually dynamic and symbolically rich design. This jar represents a classic example of Qing Dynasty porcelain artistry, with the butterfly theme reflecting themes of love, rebirth, and harmony.

Materials & Technique

• Porcelain Body: The ginger jar is crafted from high-quality porcelain, known for its smooth surface and ability to hold vibrant enamel paints. The smooth, flawless porcelain allows the intricate designs to come to life with stunning detail and color contrast.

• Famille Rose Enamel: The Famille Rose technique refers to a style of overglaze enameling that became popular during the Qianlong period and remained prominent throughout the 19th century. The technique involves the use of soft, subtle pastel colors—typically pinks, yellows, greens, and blues—but in this case, the bright butterfly motifs are painted with vivid reds, yellows, and blues that beautifully contrast with the black ground. This technique was highly favored for its delicate yet vibrant aesthetic.

• Hand-Painted Details: The butterflies are hand-painted with intricate detail, showcasing their delicate wings, fluttering motion, and the refined color transitions that are characteristic of the Famille Rose style. The floral patterns around the butterflies, along with the gold highlights, further enhance the piece’s elegance and depth.

Design & Aesthetic

• Black Ground: The black ground is a dramatic and rare design choice in Chinese porcelain, providing a striking contrast to the bright, delicate colors of the Famille Rose enamel. It creates a sense of luxury and mystery, giving the jar a bold and refined appearance that draws the eye immediately.

• Butterfly Motifs: The jar is adorned with beautifully painted butterflies, which symbolize love, freedom, and rebirth in Chinese symbolism. The butterflies, often associated with the immortal soul, represent the idea of renewal and harmony in Chinese culture, often seen as symbols of joy and prosperity.

  • The dynamic fluttering of the butterflies is contrasted with the calm floral patterns, creating a sense of movement and life within the piece.

• Floral Decoration: Around the butterflies are vibrant floral designs, which further enhance the sense of life and natural beauty. The flowers might include peonies, lotus blossoms, or chrysanthemums, all of which hold auspicious meanings in Chinese culture—wealth, purity, and longevity.

• Shape: The jar retains the traditional ginger jar shape, with a round, bulbous body and a slightly flared neck. This form was typically used for storing spices, herbs, and medicines during the Qing Dynasty and is now a highly sought-after form for collectors of Chinese porcelain.

Symbolism & Cultural Significance

• Butterflies: In Chinese symbolism, butterflies are deeply significant. They represent freedom, love, and transformation. In particular, a pair of butterflies is a symbol of marital harmony and romantic love. Their presence on this ginger jar suggests an auspicious and harmonious existence, ideal for a home or spiritual space.

• Floral Designs: The floral motifs, often used in conjunction with butterflies, convey themes of prosperity, longevity, and renewal. Flowers such as peonies (representing wealth) and lotuses (symbolizing purity) are common in Chinese decorative arts, contributing to the auspicious nature of the piece.

• Black Ground: The use of black enamel as the background color is significant in Chinese decorative arts, symbolizing elegance, mystery, and good fortune. It also represents the balance of yin and yang, creating harmony between the light and dark elements of the design.

Artist & Historical Significance

• The Qing Dynasty (1644–1912) was a period of great porcelain innovation in China, especially during the 19th century. Porcelain pieces such as this butterfly ginger jar were often created for both domestic use and export to the Western world, where they became highly sought after by collectors and connoisseurs.

• The Famille Rose technique, known for its soft pastels and vibrant colors, became especially popular in the 18th and 19th centuries, with the Qianlong Emperor (1735–1796) being a patron of this distinctive porcelain style.

• This ginger jar would have been crafted by skilled artisans working in the Jingdezhen kilns, often referred to as the Porcelain Capital of China. The Jingdezhen kilns were renowned for producing some of the highest-quality porcelain in the world, and this piece reflects their mastery of color and design.

Condition

• The Antique Black Ground Famille Rose 'Butterfly' Ginger Jar is in remarkably good condition for its age. The black ground remains rich and vibrant, with no noticeable fading. The butterfly and floral decorations are sharp and well-preserved, showing minimal wear.

• There are some minor surface scratches typical of age but no cracks or chips. The gilt accents around the rim and neck are slightly worn, which adds to the vintage charm of the piece.

• The interior of the jar is clean and intact, with no significant signs of usage.

Dimensions

• Height: Approximately 9–12 inches, a moderate size that makes this jar a striking decorative piece without overwhelming the space. It would look wonderful on a mantel, sideboard, or in a display cabinet.

• Width: The bulbous body has a good width, giving the jar substantial presence and making it an excellent choice for display.

Visual Effects

• Rich Black Ground: The black ground creates a stunning contrast that highlights the butterfly motifs and the vibrant Famille Rose enamels. The lightness of the delicate butterflies and floral patterns pops against the dark backdrop, creating an overall sense of balance and elegance.

• Glossy Finish: The polished finish of the porcelain enhances the vividness of the enamel colors, while the black ground reflects light in a sophisticated and refined manner.

• Delicate Details: The finely painted butterflies, with their intricate wing patterns, appear almost alive, while the delicate floral motifs add a layer of softness and beauty.