Ginger jars are common and although they are, of course, not in the typical Canton pattern there are many Canton collectors who have them in their collections. Grayish in color they are simply decorated. The large jar that was converted into a lamp is much more refined. There are no rain cloud borders or bridges on either jars pictured here. As Jane Wilson says of water or rum bottles: “The decoration is often blurred and of the same quality as many late ginger jars.” She said this on page 40 of her 1977 booklet.
These ginger jar examples are quite attractive. The jars’ side rims are unglazed, and the top’s inside rim is also unglazed. There are bottom rims and the bottoms are glazed.
We have included 3 pictures which show a very interesting, tiny, 3 7/8″ high Ginger Jar which actually still holds its original Ginger contents! The jar is quite dark from age, is enclosed in its original wicker basket and has a cork in the top. The second picture shows the top on the left with a paper label and on the right is the jar with the cork. The third picture shows the bottoms of the top and jar. The label and an accompanying paper reads: “Specially Manufactured for United States of America by Cheloong, Canton, China”. The only decoration on the jar are two encircling lines in faint blue.
The last picture shows another tiny, 4 1/8″ high Ginger Jar which is very nicely decorated. The soup can is 4″ high.