A Rare Miniature Yuan Iron-Spot Jar and Moulded Lotus Leaf Cover, of Guan Form, Jingdezhen Kilns, Yuan Dynasty 1279-1368. From the Collection of John Drew (1933 - 2006). This bright Qingbai glazed jar has clear iron-spots which are somewhat dry in places, reflecting the high iron concentration. This jar shape is referred to as a guan, the present example is perhaps the smallest size made at this period, its a shape that was very popular during the Yuan period. It to is rare for these Yuan miniature jars to retain their covers, the reddish marks to the top of the cover are where there isn't any glaze and so it has fired red in the kiln. Small Yuan guan can also be found with iron-spot decorated in celadon (see below for an example we sold some years ago) where it is referred to as Tobi Seiji (飞青). The guan form was of course used primarily on a larger scale, for example on the well known Yuan blue and white porcelain guan. This Qingbai jar, is very similar to one we sold that by was previously sold by Bluett in London, and has their label on the base, with the number 413, perhaps a number from an exhibition. That example had lost its cover. These Qinbai porcelain iron-spot pieces were popular in the Philippines, see Chinesische Keramik auf den Philippinen. They were also popular in China , see Jingdezhen Wares, The Yuan Evolution. A larger (10 cm) Yuan iron-spot jar with a lotus cover in the Capital Museum Collection in Beijing is illustrated in Qingbai Ware, Chinese Porcelain of the Song and Yuan Dynasties. For details of these three pieces see 'References'.   See Below For More Photographs and Information.