A pair Of Doucai Okra Flower Jars with Lids, Ming Dynasty, Chenghua 1368-1644
A pair of Ming Chenghua doucai (enamel overglaze) covered jars with okra designs, the okra painted in a vibrant purple hue. This pair of jars, decorated with okra in this "vibrant purple" color, is the only surviving example; it has never been seen at any auction before, nor is it held by any museum worldwide.
The okra shows no light reflection, indicating that it is indeed a vibrant purple color.
This "vibrant purple" color is crucial for dating.
Okra flowers are trumpet-shaped, typically with five large, thin, pale yellow petals, and a deep red center. Okra flowers are very short-lived, lasting only a few hours, similar to the ephemeral beauty of the night-blooming cereus. The okra flower represents gratitude and affection, light and elegance.
I have four pairs of Ming Chenghua doucai (enamel overglaze) okra flower designs: an okra cup, a yuhuchun vase, a gourd-shaped vase, and a covered jar. They are unique and extremely beautiful artifacts, the only ones left in the world!
The corolla of the okra flower is trumpet-shaped, typically featuring five large, delicate, pale yellow petals with a deep red center. Like the night-blooming cereus, the okra flower is incredibly ephemeral, lasting only a dozen or so hours. It symbolizes gratitude and admiration, as well as radiance and elegance.
I possess four pairs of Doucai porcelain pieces from the Chenghua reign of the Ming Dynasty, all featuring an okra floral motif: okra cups, Yuhuchun (jade-pot-spring) vases, gourd-shaped vases, and covered jars. These are peerless, exquisitely beautiful masterpieces—truly unique, one-of-a-kind treasures.
WELCOME TO THE
Seattle Oriental Art Collection
Discover a curated selection of exquisite Chinese porcelain antiques, each piece echoing the rich tapestry of China's dynastic history. Our collection spans several Significant periods from the Late Tang Dynasty (906–960) to the Qing Dynasty (1644–1912).
Welcome to the Seattle Oriental Art Collection. Explore our carefully curated selection of exquisite Chinese ceramics and antiques, each piece showcasing the rich tapestry of Chinese dynastic history. Our collection spans several important periods from the Late Tang Dynasty (906–960) to the Qing Dynasty (1644–1912).
About Seattle Oriental Art Collection: According to Shanghai's County Records, our grandfather, Cai Baochun, established an antique company in Shanghai and Paris in 1911. Later, he collaborated with C.T. Loo, a prominent antique merchant in Shanghai, serving as an antique supplier in China. This partnership enabled C.T. Loo to introduce Chinese antiques to Europe, establishing him as one of the most influential dealers of his era. Cai Baochun also served as the company's accountant. The Seattle Oriental Art Collection is a trust we have inherited from our family, dedicated to preserving and sharing these timeless treasures. The Seattle Oriental Art Collection is an inherited family trust dedicated to the preservation and transmission of these timeless treasures.
Contact Us
We look forward to connecting with fellow enthusiasts and scholars passionate about Chinese porcelain antiques.
For inquiries or to learn more about our collection, please reach out via email.
Email Address: [email protected]
We look forward to connecting with fellow enthusiasts and scholars passionate about Chinese porcelain antiques.
For any questions or to learn more about our collection, please contact us via email.
Email Address: [email protected]