Chinese Porcelain Vase

Elegant Chinese Porcelain Vase, Hand-Decorated with Floral Motifs. Qianlong Mark

This exquisite hand-decorated white Chinese porcelain vase is a uniquely beautiful piece, possessing all the charm and elegance characteristic of the finest Oriental ceramics. It is a highly stylized vase featuring a beautiful combination of colors against the pure white background of the porcelain. It is hand-decorated with colorful, nature-inspired images. The design depicts a green ground from which a slender trunk emerges; its upper part branches into delicate shoots upon which two small birds perch. From the same ground sprout a multitude of small flowers, grasses, and leaves, among which two enormous pink and white flowers stand out as the central motif of the entire composition.

The seemingly random arrangement of the plants is actually carefully thought out to create a balance of volumes that makes this vase a magnificent example of the finest decorative art. The brushwork is confident and delicate; the multiple colors used by the artist form patches clearly defined by fine, dark brushstrokes, which create the silhouettes of the flowers, stems, grasses, and birds. In addition, the rim of the vase is delicately decorated with a fine gold border that adds light and richness to the piece.

On the base of the vase, we can make out the mark of Qianlong (1736-1795) rendered in red, clear and distinct, although the vase is undoubtedly of a later date. Qianlong succeeded Yongzheng as Emperor of China, becoming the fifth emperor of the Qing Dynasty.

Dimensions: Width: 110 mm. Height: 290 mm.