Large late Qing dynasty Guangxu period lidded porcelain ginger jar decorated in underglaze blue against a faint bluish-white background with four “shuangxi” symbols (indicating double-happiness and wedded bliss) surrounded by a stylized pattern of pencil style scrolling sweet pea flowers and vines (symbolizing “many children”). A bud forms the finial. The interior and base are glazed but the foot rim and mouth are unglazed. This type of decoration with a sweet pea floral background was produced for the Straits Chinese communities and is also referred to as blue and white nonya ware or "Shanghai ware" (see “Straits Chinese Porcelain: A Collector’s Guide” by Ho Wing Meng). Very heavy for its size. Heavily potted and weighing 7 lbs. Very good overall condition. There is a chip on the inside edge of the mouth rim and a tiny loss to the very tip of the finial. 10” high x nearly 11” diameter. Dates circa 1880-1900. From the private collection of a former American expatriate to Guangzhou and Beijing from 1983-1987.