China, Qing dynasty, Shunzhi period (1644-1661).

Porcelain jar with wucai polychrome decoration, adorned with large iron-red peonies and green leafy scrolls. The body is structured by polylobed reserves standing out against a geometric background painted with great finesse in iron-red. The shoulder features a freer floral decoration, while a geometric frieze underlines the neck.

The Chinese term wucai 五彩, literally "five colors", refers to a family of polychrome decorations and does not imply the actual presence of five colors on each piece. The iron-red, green, and yellow palette fully belongs to this tradition. Under Shunzhi, compositions combining reserved panels and dense geometric iron-red backgrounds constitute a particularly characteristic vocabulary; comparable examples are documented by major collections of 17th-century Chinese porcelain.

The slightly bluish glaze continues inside. The ring foot is left unglazed and the rim has a tawny brown hue. The absence of a mark is consistent with many porcelains from this production.

Condition: good condition, no structural defects. Slight wear to the red enamels, normal for the period.

Dimensions: H. 19 cm; D. 17 cm.