A blue and white vase, Qing dynasty, with Xianfeng's six character mark and period (1851-1861).
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Elegantly potted, the pear-shaped body rising from a spreading foot to a waisted neck flaring at the rim, painted to the exterior with bamboo and plantain in a fenced garden above a lappet band, the neck encircled with stiff leaves, floral scroll and ruyi bands, the foot with demi florets. Height 28,5 cm.
Provenance
From a private Swedish Collection.
Literature
For the prototype of this vase see one attributed to the Yongle period, in the Palace Museum, Beijing, illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum. Blue and White Porcelain with Underglazed Red (I), Hong Kong, 2000, pl. 33; and another attributed to the Xuande period, also in the Palace Museum published in Yeh Peilan, Appraising Ancient Chinese Ceramics, Taipei, 1994, pl. 83. While in shape and decoration Qing examples are undoubtedly inspired by Ming dynasty pieces, the brushwork and painting style in these later examples are much more detailed and fine, with the cobalt blue also of brighter tone. The neck has also become wider and the body of more bulbous profile in the Qing period.
2010, lot 2773.
Compare the Xianfeng-marked vase, illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum - III - Blue and White Porcelain with Underglaze Red, Hong Kong, 2000, p. 167, no. 153. See, also, the Xianfeng-marked example sold at Christies, London rooms, 12 July 2005, lot 171.
More information
The landscape design seen on this magnificent vase originated in the early Ming dynasty when this combination of motifs became popular amongst the literati for its auspicious connotation. Bamboo represents longevity, endurance and loyalty as it remains green in winter and does not break easily in the wind; while the plantain tree is the symbol of education. Classical legends tell the tale of a scholar who wrote on plantain leaves as he was too poor to afford any paper. Rocks stand for durability and steadfastness, and are generally associated with reliability and friendship.