Page 327 - Asian Art December 2017 Lempertz (German Text)

CHINA

A rare blue and white double-gourd vase (huluping). Jiajing period (1522-1566)

Jiajing six-character mark and of the period
The large lower and smaller upper section decorated in deep cobalt-blue with medallions of a dragon, a phoenix, a phoenix-like
luan bird and a crane among clouds, seperated by spandrels of scrolling lingzhi supporting various Daoist emblems, all between
a collar of lotus petal panels below the neck, lotus scroll around the neck and waist, and a border of overlapping petals and scroll
bands at the foot. Restored to neck.
Height 48 cm
The shape and decoration of this vase is typical of products from the reign of the Jiajing emperor (1522-1566) of the Ming dynasty,
who was a devoted follower of Daoism and reflects the popularity of Daoism during his period and his search for immortality.
Beside the dragon and phoenix as symbols of power, it shows auspicious Daoist motifs such as the crane, the ruyi-shaped clouds
and lingzhi, the fungus of immortality. The shape of the double gourd itself reflects a wish for immortality, because it is a pun for
„blessings“ (fu) and „emolument“ (lu) or „wealth“ one acquires from having an official position. The double gourd is also associated
with one of the Eight Immortals, Li Tieguai, in which he kept his elixier of immortality and a special medicine for the sick.

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