Page 60 - Bonhams Chinese Art March 2016 New York

8077
A RARE PAIR OF MASSIVE POWDER-BLUE AND GILT VASES AND COVERS
Kangxi period
Each vase of elongated baluster form, each body divided into twelve vertical lobed sections,
each gilded with four peony blossoms and foliate scrolls beneath pendent ruyi and floral
cartouches containing radiating chrysanthemum at the shoulder, beneath a band with lotus
cartouches alternating with Buddhist symbols, the neck with tasseled precious objects, all on
a soft powder-blue ground, the lobed covers each similarly decorated with gilt flowers beneath
the finial modeled as a lotus above radiating molded petals, wood stands.
46in (117cm) high, each
$50,000 - 70,000
清康熙 藍地描金花卉紋大蓋罐一對
In the 18th century, Chinese vases of such impressive proportions were much coveted by
Europeans, including royalty, who desired such large and exotic porcelain pieces to suit the
proportions of palatial public rooms. Such massive pieces are often referred to as ‘soldier’ or
‘dragoon’ vases, after an episode in which Augustus the Strong, Elector of Saxony and King of
Poland (1670-1733) arranged to trade 600 of his dragoons in exchange for over 151 pieces of
porcelain, including tall vases and covers in 1717. Vases of this type are still much valued for their
extraordinary construction and imposing presence: compare for example a single blue and white
‘soldier’ vase sold in our London rooms, 12 May 2011, sale 18827, lot 317, and a pair painted
with a decorative floral design also sold in our London rooms, 10 July 2006, sale 13740, lot 107.
The softly speckled powder-blue glaze, delicately enhanced with gilding, was also extremely
popular in its own right. The careful division of the vase into lobed segments with a formal
design of flowers and other natural motifs is particularly well-suited to the expansive exterior
surface, and is echoed in blue and white vases of the same period. It is however exceptionally
rare to find massive vases such as the present lot in the powder-blue and gilt palette.

58 | BONHAMS