A rare Chinese blue and white export tulip vase, Qing dynasty, Kangxi (1662-1722).
after Dutch Delft originals, one tier in square section, with four flaring spouts at the corners, supported by a rectangular pedestal painted on the sides with either a female nude dancing in a fenced interior, or a winged-cherub among blossoming flowers and foliage. Height ca 19-19,5 cm.
Wear. Fritts. Chips. Glaze crack
More information
See a nearly identical example, shown in "China Without Dragons", no 156, page 260-261. Also a nearly example is in the collection of the Groninger Museum, and illustrated in D. F. Lungsingh Scheurleer, Chinese Export Porcelain, cat. no. 108. Another pair of nearly identical examples was with Cohen & Cohen, London, reference no. 6172.
These are modelled after originals in Dutch delft by Adriaen Kocx (fl. 1686-1701) from the De Grieksche A factory, which specialised in these items, of which a large pair are at Hampton Court, made for King William III and Queen Mary. The obelisk shape is connected with the classical antiquity and is also reminiscent of Chinese pagodas, so it combines elements of exotic architectural styles to complement an exotic flower. The delft forms are also derived from Moresque spouted flower holders from the Middle East and the cherubim and masks round the spouts follow Italian maiolica.