Large 19th Century Vase In Chinese Famille Rose Porcelain With Imperial Yellow Ground, Qing

Large Chinese famille rose porcelain baluster vase with imperial yellow ground, scholar decoration and Chilong handles, Qing period.

Important hard-paste porcelain vase. Chinese production from the late Qing dynasty, very probably from the Guangxu period, late 19th century.

Architectural baluster form with pronounced shoulder and flared neck. Polychrome palette known as “famille rose” (fencai enamels). Bright yellow ground, a colour traditionally associated with imperial symbolism, imitating the richness and density of 18th-century yangcai productions. The surface is covered with leafy scrolls and stylised lotus flowers.

The body and neck are animated by four rectangular reserved panels. The scenes depict dignitaries, scholars and court ladies moving through tree-lined terraces or palatial interiors. The chromatic treatment uses pastel tones dominated by celadon green, pink, blue and aubergine.

A remarkable feature appears in the large main cartouche: a scroll unfurled by scholars. The scroll is decorated with the Taoist trigrams Li, symbolising Fire and clarity, and Kan, symbolising Water and mystery, framing a stylised Taijitu motif, Yin and Yang, as an allegory of cosmic balance.

Relief ornamentation at the neck consists of two applied handles in the form of crawling Chilong, archaic dragons. Turquoise enamelling with highlights and black speckling creates a strong visual contrast with the yellow ground.

The lip is outlined with a ruyi frieze alternating pink and turquoise. The base is encircled by a frieze of lappets with pink geometric motifs. The interior of the neck and the underside of the base are glazed white. Unmarked base. The foot ring is left in biscuit, showing characteristic firing marks and kiln adhesion traces.

Provenance: from a Belgian private collection.

Exceptional state of preservation. No cracks, chips or visible restoration to the handles or lip. Very minor wear from use to the enamel surface.

Measurements:
• Height: 43.5 cm
• Diameter at center: 21 cm
• Diameter at neck: 17 cm

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• France: €48 (specialized fragile-item carrier)
• Europe and international: please contact us
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