Yuan 'qinghua' jar to go under the hammer in Hong Kong

The Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) is renowned in the realm of craftsmanship, for graceful qinghua (cobalt blue and white) ceramics, and in the performing arts for zaju, a dramatic art form that integrated singing, dance, poetry and other artistic elements.

A Yuan zaju-inspired qinghua jar will go under the hammer in Hong Kong at the end of April in an auction by Christie's.

The object celebrates both the pinnacle of Yuan ceramic workmanship and aesthetics and the popularity of zaju at the time. It vividly illustrates a scene believed to be from a zaju play, rendered through meticulous details of stage settings, figures and other decorative motifs.

The jar will be among dozens of works of art and crafts to appear across several of Christie's sales, marking its decades-long presence in Asia. The auctions will also highlight the longtime commitment of connoisseurs and collectors in Hong Kong to Chinese cultural tradition.