Monumental Double Gourd Jars & Covers

China, Kangxi period ( 1662 – 1722)
Weight: 48 kg

Extremely large jars with covers, such as these, were exceedingly difficult to create. Despite their elegant double gourde (hulu) shape, they each weigh a massive 48kg, establishing the skill and knowledge of the Chinese potter in the Kangxi era. Beside the challenge of producing a vase of this the sheer size, the more complex double-gourd form, was even more difficult to fire successfully, than the more typical straight-sided vase. This pair would probably have been part of a larger special commission by the Dutch East India Company (VOC). There are only four other known comparable examples, of this size and decoration, which are in the collection of Augustus the Strong (1670-1733) in Dresden, Germany. This pair are the only examples which to, our knowledge, have come onto the market in the last 30 years.