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Chinese Jars & Ginger Jars

Chinese jars are typically made of porcelain, and were created for the transportation of goods and spices. Chinese ginger jars in particular are characterized by a short body with a small opening that immediately flares into a wide shoulder, becoming smaller again towards the base. These ginger jars often come with a domed lid, but no handle. Jar decorations included, but were not limited to, paintings of carps, flowers, landscapes, and everyday life scenes.

While these jars were originally created in China during the Qing Dynasty for transporting ginger amongst other spices, ginger jars were in high demand during the 19th century for their appearance rather than function. Chinese jars were at that time not often used for their original function, but treated as decoration, or sometimes converted into lamps since ginger jars were short and bottom-heavy.


Quick Facts

  • Chinese jars were often given as gifts; the different colors would imply different meanings. For example, a yellow jar was given to an emperor as yellow was the color of royalty
  • Blue and white jars, not to be confused with the white wedding jar, was the typical style of porcelain jar during the MIng dynasty. During this time, the Qinghua porcelain painting style flourished
  • Ginger jars did not transport ginger exclusively, but were also filled with tea, spices, and all different kinds of foods

Recommended Items at Auction

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BLUE & WHITE CANTON TEA CADDY
Feb 22, 11:00 AM EST
BLUE & WHITE CANTON TEA CADDY
by Thomaston Place Auction Galleries
Est: $300- $400
$1754 Bids
Chinese Imari Pattern Porcelain Umbrella Jar, 20 1/4 x 8 1/2 in. (51.4 x 21.6 cm.)
Feb 18, 10:00 AM EST
Chinese Imari Pattern Porcelain Umbrella Jar, 20 1/4 x 8 1/2 in. (51.4 x 21.6 cm.)
by Weschler's
Est: $30- $50
$354 Bids
A collection of three Chinese ginger jars (H:16.5cm - tallest)
Feb 20, 1:00 PM AEDT
A collection of three Chinese ginger jars (H:16.5cm - tallest)
by Lawsons
Est: AUD60- AUD80
AUD253 Bids
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Chinese Sanchai Porcelain Covered Jar
Feb 22, 11:00 AM PST
Chinese Sanchai Porcelain Covered Jar
by Wealthier Art & Auction
Est: $100- $200
$302 Bids
A Chinese Ginger Jar
Feb 23, 11:00 AM AEDT
A Chinese Ginger Jar
by Theodore Bruce Auctioneers & Valuers
Est: AUD50- AUD100
AUD302 Bids
A CHINESE BLUE AND WHITE JARLET 元 青花花卉紋小罐
Feb 18, 10:00 AM GMT
A CHINESE BLUE AND WHITE JARLET 元 青花花卉紋小罐
by Chiswick Auctions
Est: £250- £350
£2002 Bids
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BLUE AND WHITE FLORAL DOUBLE HAPPINESS PORCELAIN JAR
Mar 01, 10:00 AM EST
BLUE AND WHITE FLORAL DOUBLE HAPPINESS PORCELAIN JAR
by William's Auctions, LLC
Est: $120- $180
$601 Bid
Chinese Blue and White Jar
Feb 26, 10:00 AM EST
Chinese Blue and White Jar
by Everard Auctions and Appraisals
Est: $300- $500
$1251 Bid
CHINESE ALABASTER TEMPLE JAR
Feb 22, 11:00 AM EST
CHINESE ALABASTER TEMPLE JAR
by Thomaston Place Auction Galleries
Est: $500- $700
$1001 Bid
CHINESE LIDDED JAR
Feb 22, 11:00 AM EST
CHINESE LIDDED JAR
by Thomaston Place Auction Galleries
Est: $300- $500
$501 Bid
A CHINESE GREENISH WHITE GLAZED THREE LUG JAR, SUI DYNASTY (581-618)
Mar 02, 11:00 AM AEDT
A CHINESE GREENISH WHITE GLAZED THREE LUG JAR, SUI DYNASTY (581-618)
by Leonard Joel
Est: AUD2,000- AUD3,000
AUD1,5001 Bid
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Pr Chinese Cloisonne Jars
Mar 11, 10:00 AM EDT
Pr Chinese Cloisonne Jars
by Barry S. Slosberg Inc
Est: $75- $150
$301 Bid
A YUAN DYNASTY STYLE HIGH FOOT BLUE AND WHITE PORCELAIN JAR WITH DEPICTING DRAGON.C249.
Feb 28, 11:00 AM EST
A YUAN DYNASTY STYLE HIGH FOOT BLUE AND WHITE PORCELAIN JAR WITH DEPICTING DRAGON.C249.
by Metropolitan Auction of Art Inc.
Est: $1,500- $2,000
$6001 Bid
CHINESE BLUE & WHITE RICE JAR
Feb 22, 11:00 AM EST
CHINESE BLUE & WHITE RICE JAR
by Thomaston Place Auction Galleries
Est: $500- $700
$1001 Bid
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CHINESE LARGE GINGER JAR WITH FOO DOG FINIAL
Feb 20, 9:00 AM AEST
CHINESE LARGE GINGER JAR WITH FOO DOG FINIAL
by Albion Antique Auction Centre
Est: AUD10- AUD40
AUD101 Bid
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THREE POTTERY ITEMS, CHINESE GINGER JAR WITHOUT LID, LIDDED POT AND VASE WITH INCISED DECORATION
Feb 20, 9:00 AM AEST
THREE POTTERY ITEMS, CHINESE GINGER JAR WITHOUT LID, LIDDED POT AND VASE WITH INCISED DECORATION
by Albion Antique Auction Centre
Est: AUD10- AUD40
AUD101 Bid
A CHINESE BRONZE JAR
Mar 04, 6:00 PM AEDT
A CHINESE BRONZE JAR
by Leonard Joel
Est: AUD150- AUD250
AUD1001 Bid
(lot of 3) Chinese famille verte articles
Feb 22, 9:30 AM PST
(lot of 3) Chinese famille verte articles
by Clars Auctions
Est: $200- $400
$1001 Bid
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Pair Chinese Peiking Glass Jars
Feb 22, 11:00 AM PST
Pair Chinese Peiking Glass Jars
by Wealthier Art & Auction
Est: $50- $60
$101 Bid
Large faceted blue and white ceramic Chinese lidded jar (H:40cm)
Mar 02, 7:00 PM AEDT
Large faceted blue and white ceramic Chinese lidded jar (H:40cm)
by Lawsons
Est: AUD400- AUD600
AUD151 Bid
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STRAITS CHINESE STYLE GINGER JAR
Feb 20, 9:00 AM AEST
STRAITS CHINESE STYLE GINGER JAR
by Albion Antique Auction Centre
Est: AUD10- AUD40
AUD101 Bid
A CHINESE BLUE AND WHITE 'HORSES' JAR AND COVER 清乾隆 青花三馬圖雙耳蓋罐
Feb 18, 10:00 AM GMT
A CHINESE BLUE AND WHITE 'HORSES' JAR AND COVER 清乾隆 青花三馬圖雙耳蓋罐
by Chiswick Auctions
Est: £100- £200
£1001 Bid

Sellers Who Sell Chinese Jars & Ginger Jars


William's Auctions, LLC

William's Auctions, LLC

Mega International Auction

Mega International Auction

Leonard Joel

Leonard Joel

Veilinghuis de Jager

Veilinghuis de Jager