{"product_id":"grand-vase-balustre-porcelaine-bleu-blanc-dragons-imperiaux-xixe","title":"Large Baluster Vase, Porcelain, Imperial Dragon Decoration, 19th Century","description":"\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA spectacular 52 cm high piece\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIconography \u0026amp; Eclectic Symbolism\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003eThis large covered baluster vase instantly captures the gaze with its scale and richness of execution. Entirely hand-painted in shades of cobalt blue, it displays a traditional motif of floral scrolls amidst which powerful imperial dragons soar. The latter are depicted with 5 claws, a symbol of the Emperor's power.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003eThe shoulder is adorned with four lion guardian heads applied in relief. The lid, meanwhile, is topped by a superb gripping knob in the form of a Foo Dog (or Buddhist lion). In Asian tradition, this protective lion surmounting the dome symbolizes sacred guardianship, warding off negative influences and watching over the home, which gives the object a dual aesthetic and protective dimension.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEpigraphy \u0026amp; Deciphering the Mark\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003eThe base of the vase features a complete six-character honorary mark, hand-painted in underglaze blue in the regular kaishu script:\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e                                                     熙年製 大清康\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e \u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\n\u003cspan\u003eRight column (top to bottom): 大 (Dà - Great) | 清 (Qīng - Qing) | 康 (Kāng) \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLeft column (top to bottom): 熙 (Xī - occupying the remainder of the Emperor's name) | 年 (Nián - Years) | 製 (Zhì - Made)\u003c\/span\u003e\n\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003eFull translation: \"Made during the reign of the Kangxi Emperor of the Great Qing Dynasty (1662–1722).\"\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003eIn accordance with the customs of the late Qing period (19th century), this is an honorary apocryphal mark. In the 19th century, master potters in Jingdezhen affixed these characters with the intention of respectfully situating their work within the technical and aesthetic continuity of the golden age of imperial porcelain.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTHE OPINION OF THE GALERIE POPINCOURT\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv\u003eWhat we particularly like about this large covered vase is its grounding in the decorative tradition of the late Qing Dynasty. While the base bears the prestigious mark of the Kangxi Emperor, analysis of its glaze, cobalt blue, and the treatment of its base points us with certainty to the 19th century. At that time, Chinese workshops redoubled their craftsmanship to revive the great eras of imperial art. \u003cbr\u003eSporting the mythical 5-clawed imperial dragon, this spectacularly shaped piece (52 cm) is a witness to the end of Chinese imperial history, whose presence and aesthetic magnetism remain incomparable.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\n\n\u003cstrong\u003eInformation\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e: China (Jingdezhen)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProvenance\u003c\/strong\u003e: Private collection, France\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePeriod\u003c\/strong\u003e: Late Qing Dynasty (19th century)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaterial\u003c\/strong\u003e: Blue and white glazed porcelain\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions\u003c\/strong\u003e: Height: 52 cm | Maximum diameter: 25 cm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMarking\u003c\/strong\u003e: 6-character Kangxi tribute mark under the base\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNet weight\u003c\/strong\u003e: 6.850 kg\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition\u003c\/strong\u003e: Excellent general state of preservation for a 19th-century piece. No cracks, no restoration. Slight firing irregularities and natural wear under the unglazed base.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eContents of the shipment \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e19th-century baluster vase with Foo Dog lid and \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e \u003cspan\u003eImperial Dragons\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003eCertificate of authenticity\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"AUTRE","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":60578755969358,"sku":"VAS-DRA-1060","price":950.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0927\/4959\/4958\/files\/grand-vase-balustre-porcelaine-chinois-bleu-blanc-dragons-imperiaux-xixe-baluster-vase000.png?v=1789137198","url":"https:\/\/galeriepopincourt.com\/en\/products\/grand-vase-balustre-porcelaine-bleu-blanc-dragons-imperiaux-xixe","provider":"GALERIE POPINCOURT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}