Page 66 - Christie's King St, November 8, 2016

60
AN UNDERGLAZE-BLUE AND YELLOW ENAMELLED DOUBLE GOURD VASE
QIANLONG SIX-CHARACTER SEAL MARK IN UNDERGLAZE BLUE
AND OF THE PERIOD (1736-1795)

The lower section of the vase is of square form rising
to a bulbous upper section. It is decorated all around the body with bats and gourds
amongst leafy stems, all between scrolling bands to the mouth and foot rims.
12¬ in. (32 cm.) high

£20,000-30,000 $26,000-39,000
€23,000-34,000

The unusual form of this double-gourd vase with its round upper section and square
lower section is one which frst seems to appear in the Ming dynasty Jiajing reign
(1552-66). Essentially the shape refers to the relationship between Heaven and Earth,
with Heaven represented by the circular upper section and the Earth represented by
the square lower part. In the Jiajing reign these symbolic shapes were part of Daoist
beliefs, of which the emperor was an enthusiastic adherent.

For a Jiajing example of a large blue and white double-gourd vase of this shape, see
J. Harrison-Hall, Ming Ceramics in the British Museum, London, 2001, p. 230, no. 9:34.
The construction of such vessels must have presented a number of challenges to the
potter, however, and the form largely fell from favour after 1566, until it was revived
at the imperial kilns in the 18th century. Even with the technical expertise available
in the 18th century, fring these vessels would have been dificult, and they remain
very rare. They may have been made in the Qianlong reign in conjunction with the
rebuilding of the relevant altars in 1751-2.

A blue and white example with a very similar design of bats and gourds was included
in the 45th Anniversary Exhibition of the Min Chiu Society, Hong Kong, Auspicious
Emblems: Chinese Cultural Treasures, 25 November 2005 - 19 July 2006, p. 156, no. 65.

清乾隆 黃地青花福壽萬代葫蘆瓶 六字篆書款

來源: 私人珍藏

64 FINE CHINESE CERAMICS AND WORKS OF ART