Truly representative of some of the best decoration from a period that excelled in quality, this Chinese export porcelain Yongzheng period covered jug is hand-painted with elegant and intriguing images. There are two aspects of the design – one features a beautiful woman as seen through a draped moon window, seated at her writing table with a letter, outside the window is a profusion of extremely detailed palms, trees, and rockwork. The second image depicts an interior scene with a mother and her child standing in a furnished interior with lattice windows (note the tree leaves seen through the lattice) and two cranes, as an open doorway looks out onto a courtyard. What remains a mystery, is the presence of two cranes standing about inside the house, although the birds are venerated as the ‘Prince of all Feathered Creatures’ and symbols of longevity and peace. The meticulous detail is carried onto the cover with more trees and a Chinese roofline.  The jug measures 4 1/2″ x 4″. There is restoration to the cover and the knop is replaced and a small line sealed to the interior, but otherwise in good condition. Imagine what a spectacular tea set this was part of.  Circa 1730-1735. Ex-Nelson Kline Collection.