Covered jar, one of a pair

The use of lobed divisions on the neck of a piece or over the entire shape was begun in Qianlong era underglaze-blue products. This piece has intricate openwork on the lobed segments of the lid. Five friezes, consisting of lotus panels, a floral scroll, the Eight Diagrams flanked by painted floral sprays, and a cloud-head pattern, adorn the lid. The same theme in different formations is repeated on the body. Although various shades of the blue on Kangxi ware were abandoned in this period, the blue was still applied with light and dark tonalities to distinguish the outlines of each petal.