A blue and white faceted 'lotus and birds' jar with cover, Ming dynasty (1368-1644).

From the collection of Karl Rientze Hugosson (1929-2015), thence by descent. Karl started his career at an early age in Gothenburg working for Swedish Customs; his work was within clearing antiques and works of art from abroad. At this time of course Gothenburg was an important port were much of the items from Europe arrived. This is where the passion for antiques and Asian art was born, and especially the interest in Chinese Works of Art that became a lifelong passion. After retirement he held lectures about Chinese porcelain and became a guide for travel agencies that took Swedish citizens to China. In an interview with Karl Hugosson in article in Antik & Auktion of 7/8 1992, he says ‘I had a first-row seat in the antique trade/ import during the era after World War II.

Compare with a jar of this type but missing its cover in the British Museum, Museum number 1931,0713.1.

Harrison-Hall 2001 / Catalogue of Late Yuan and Ming Ceramics in the British Museum (9:44)
The author notes that a jar like this was excavated at Taizhou, Jiangsu, from the tomb of Liu Xiang (1495-1541) and of his wife Mme Qiu (1496-1558). The jar was one of only two ceramics included in the burial which otherwise is renowned for its textiles, including male and female clothing.