Pair of ginger jars converted into table lamps. China, 20th century.

Pair of ginger jars converted into table lamps. China, 20th century.
Blue glazed ceramic; later adaptation with metal elements and textile shade.
Electrified. In operation.
Measurements: 41 x 25 cm (jar), 74 x 45 cm (lamp).

This pair of pieces has as original element two glazed ceramic ginger jars, conceived as decorative objects of traditional oriental inspiration. The jars present the classic typology of this type of vessel, with a globular body, rounded shoulders, narrow base and domed lid topped by a central knob. The deep cobalt blue glaze, enriched with irregular golden effects, responds to a decorative language typical of productions destined for the western export market during the second half of the 20th century.

Although inspired by historical models of Chinese ceramics from the Ming and Qing periods, these jars should not be understood as antique pieces, but rather as contemporary reinterpretations that prioritize ornamental value over the original utilitarian function. Their finish and chromatism reflect the orientalist and eclectic taste characteristic of the international interior design of the mid-20th century, where this type of object was appreciated as a decorative accent element.

Later, the jars were adapted as table lamp bases, integrating metallic elements and textile shades that respect the formal reading of the original container. Presented as a pair, the jars acquire a symmetrical and representative character, designed to be arranged together in the same space, reinforcing their decorative function and visual presence.

As a whole, these pieces testify to the survival and reinterpretation of traditional oriental forms in contemporary ceramic production, as well as their integration into western decorative contexts through processes of reuse and functional resignification.