Late 1600s

Jar with a Mythical Qilin, Lion, and Elephant

Many European royals became avid collectors of Chinese porcelain, including Augustus the Strong (1670-1733), elector of Saxony and king of Poland. This jar, formerly in Augustus's collection, exemplifies the virtuoso technical and artistic abilities of the Kangxi period Chinese potters. On a pale green ground-which inspired the European name for the ware, famille verte-the artist has depicted three animals: a lion, an elephant, and a mythical qilin. While the artist who decorated this piece is unknown, many court painters were employed by the porcelain factory established by the Kangxi emperor, himself a devoted collector of these polychrome wares.