A fine and rare 康熙 Kangxi style famille noire double gourd biscuit vase, the lower bulb in cushion form of rectangular section with raised lappet shaped panels above a zig-zag border that are painted in green, aubergine, yellow and black with flowers of the four seasons; chrysanthemum, rose, peony and lotus blossoms. The upper bulb separated by a diaper band punctuated with four single chrysanthemum blossoms depicts two xiezie beasts enclosed in a quatrafoil cartouche beneath keyfret and classic scroll borders all against a glossy black ground strewn with prunus blossoms. The base is unglazed. The unusual form of this double-gourd vase with its rounded upper section and squared lower section is one which first is seen in the Jiajing reign of the Ming dynasty though the shape of the lower section was more box-like without rounded sides. The shape of the vase refers to the relationship between Heaven and Earth, with Heaven represented by the circular upper section and the Earth by the squared lower section. A nearly identical vase possibly the mate to this vase is in the collection of the MUSEO D'ARTE CINESE ED ETNOGRAFICO, Parma, Italy.
清代 Qing Dynasty, 光緒 Guangxu Period (1875-1908)
Height: 9 1/2" (24.2cm)
Provenance: Private collection, UK; Vermeer & Griggs Collection No. 660
Condition: Excellent
Please refer to item #FN-403-660 when inquiring.