Lidded jar with design of butterflies

This lidded jar, which Freer acquired from the dealer Matsuki Bunkyo in 1896, was originally thought to be much older. Freer initially was uncertain if it were from the Song, Yuan, or Ming dynasty, but, perhaps because he thought it "fine," finally convinced himself in 1918 that it was indeed a Song piece. It is actually from the 19th century, and it was formed by the modern industrial technique of slip-casting. In the Peacock Room in Detroit, this jar was displayed on a high shelf along the east wall, where the butterfly design related to neighboring ceramics decorated with images of flora and fauna.