Blue & White Porcelain Temple Jar - Qilin Design

This striking blue and white porcelain temple jar is decorated with a majestic Qilin, one of the most revered mythical creatures in Chinese culture. Traditionally regarded as a symbol of wisdom, prosperity and benevolent rule, the Qilin was believed to appear only during the reign of a just emperor or at the birth or passing of a great sage. Depicted standing amongst bamboo, grasses and stylised clouds, the creature is rendered with remarkable detail, from its finely painted scales to its expressive features.

The jar is hand-thrown on the potter's wheel before being meticulously hand-painted by skilled artists in Jingdezhen, China's renowned porcelain capital for over a thousand years. Every stage of production follows traditional techniques that have been passed down through generations, resulting in a beautifully authentic reproduction of classic Chinese blue and white porcelain.

Porcelain occupies a unique place in Chinese history. Although pottery has been produced in China for over 15,000 years, true porcelain is generally believed to have emerged during the Han Dynasty (202 BC – 220 AD). The distinctive blue and white style uses cobalt decoration beneath a clear glaze, a technique that evolved from the Tang Dynasty (618–907 AD) and reached its height during the Ming and Qing dynasties.

• Origin: Jingdezhen, China
• Date: Contemporary
• Materials: Hand-painted porcelain
• Features: Hand-thrown temple jar with matching lid, decorated with a traditional Qilin amongst bamboo, grasses and clouds using underglaze cobalt blue decoration
• Dimensions: W28 x D28 x H57 cm
• Weight: 9kg