A molded ritual vessel and cover, altar dou, with a deep bowl raised on a spreading pedestal foot and molded with bands of various archaistic motifs. The domed cover molded with a key-fret border at the rim and a ruyi collar below the knob finial, covered in a pale blue glaze, the interior and base glazed white. The six character kaishu mark and period of Guangxu appears in a line within the base above the foot.
In the Illustrated Regulations for Ceremonial Paraphernalia of the Qing Dynasty, published in the twenty-fifth year of Guangxu (corresponding to 1889) there were eight ceramic wares used by the Emperor and other members of the royal family for various ceremonies and were glazed in the color appropriate to the temple where they were used. This dou would have been used in the Temple of the Moon to hold a variety of meat, vegetables or pickled offerings.
清代 Qing Dynasty, 光緒 Guangxu Period (1875-1908)
Height:  10" (including finial)
Provenance:  Vermeer & Griggs Collection No. 102
Condition:  Perfect with an area where the glaze pulled on one side in firing.
Please refer to item #MO-613-102 when inquiring.