Pair (2) of antique Chinese melon-shaped ginger jars, with lids, decorated using the famille rose color palette

Hand-painted in overglaze polychrome enamels, both jars depict boys preparing for a festival, with a mother figure and warrior guardian watching over them. The jars also depict butterflies, traditionally symbolic of love and freedom, as well as chrysanthemums, traditionally symbolic of longevity. 

Rectangular lappets border the base and ruyi border the neck.

Reign mark on base bottoms date these pieces to the Tongzhi reign (1862-1874) of the Qing dynasty. 

Famille rose, which translates from French as pink family, is a type of Chinese porcelain most popular in the 18th and 19th centuries. Known as yangcai in China, for “foreign colors,” it is characterized by pink overglaze  low-fired enamel but may also include other soft complementary colors. The color range for this palette was first produced by mixing colored enamels with an opaque white.

Measure approx. 12.5” x 8” (each)

Light cleanable grime (See pics)