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PROPERTY FROM THE ESTATE OF GEORGE C.C. HO PROPERTY OF A GENTLEMAN.
A LARGE BLUE-GROUND UNDERGLAZE AN UNDERGLAZE-BLUE AND POLYCHROME-
BLUE AND COPPER-RED VASE ENAMELED VASE
QING DYNASTY, 19TH CENTURY GUANGXU MARK AND PERIOD
of baluster form rising from a rounded foot to an upturned of yuhuchun form, decorated around the body with a fenced
rim, painted with a continuous composition of twelve magpies garden scene with owers, birds, insects, bamboo and
perching or soaring amid the branches of an iron-red pine plantain, between a band of lappets and pendent ruyi, the
tree, the birds’ plumage naturalistically rendered in underglaze neck encircled with sti leaves and a scrolling band, the rim
blue and white enamel, all against a sky-blue ground, the base with further ruyi heads, the base with a six-character mark in
white, wood stand (2) underglaze blue
Height 25½ in., 64.8 cm Height 12 in., 30.5 cm
In Chinese language, the magpie is known as xique (bird $ 4,000-6,000
of joy), and blue magpies with long tails are referred to as
shoudainiao (birds with longevity ribbon). The pine tree is a
symbol of longevity and endurance. The number twelve refers
to the number of hours in the day, with the Chinese hour
equating to two Western hours. The motif on this vase thus
serves as a double rebus: a wish for happiness throughout the
day, and a wish for longevity.
$ 10,000-15,000
228 SOTHEBY’S
