Blue and White Mallet Vase with Zhong Kui Holding Blessing Figure & Stringed Neck Motifs, Qing Dynasty, 18th‑19th Century

拍品描述

Dimensions: 20.5 cm (8.07 inches) in height, Qing Dynasty, 18th-19th century. Condition and Provenance: This vase has a straight, well-centered body with a tight bond between the body and glaze. It is covered in a glossy, pure white glaze, smooth and even, without any signs of artificial acid washing, polishing, through-cracks, or post-firing repairs. The small, rounded mouth is intact, without any chips, nicks, fine surface cracks, or hidden cracks. The tall, straight neck is decorated with two raised concentric circles, clearly defined, with an intact glaze, free from peeling or wear. The straight, cylindrical body is perfectly balanced. The underglaze blue Zhong Kui figure design on the exterior is clearly visible, without fading, blurring, or wear; the cobalt blue pigment is rich, layered, and evenly colored, with no signs of later repainting or modification. The vase has a wide, flared foot, neatly trimmed, with the exposed clay of the foot ring being light beige, solid, and dry. The foot rim shows only a few fine, natural burial marks, the result of centuries of circulation, without any chips or damage. The inner wall of the base is glazed white, with a cobalt blue seal script mark in the center, the strokes clear and sharp, the blue pigment penetrating deep into the glaze rather than floating on the surface. This piece was originally in the collection of a traditional literati family in the Jiangnan region and entered the overseas antique market in the 1980s. It is currently in the collection of a private collector residing in New York State, USA, who specializes in Ming and Qing blue and white porcelain. Major trading centers for Ming and Qing porcelain include California, New York, and Texas. Description: This Qing Dynasty Zhong Kui-themed blue and white mallet-shaped vase is a classic decorative porcelain piece studied by traditional Chinese literati. The vase has a tall and elegant body, with a rounded mouth that extends upwards to a slender neck decorated with two raised horizontal lines, simple and smooth. The neck transitions naturally to a flat cylindrical body, with a wide, flared foot rim. The overall proportions are balanced, making it very suitable for placement on a desk or in an entryway. The entire bottle is covered in a thick, milky-white glaze, the color of which is even and soft, with a restrained and delicate luster. It was meticulously crafted using kaolin glaze from the Qing Dynasty. The bottle is decorated with a lifelike blue-and-white Zhong Kui holding auspicious symbols, employing a cobalt blue wash technique to create rich layers of color. The deep, rich blue outlines the folds of the figure's clothing, facial features, and structural details, while lighter blues blend to depict the folds of clothing, shrubs, and scattered landscape background. This Zhong Kui figure has a vivid and dignified face, holding auspicious ornaments, perfectly complementing the simple mountain and foliage scenery. The composition is balanced and concise, the brushstrokes fluid and mature, making it a model of Qing Dynasty blue-and-white figure painting technique. The interior is entirely glazed, pure white and flawless, without stains or discoloration. The surface is smooth and even, without any carving marks, due to wheel-throwing and finishing. The foot rim is finely finished, and traces of kiln sand from the firing process are visible on the unglazed portion. The base glaze bears a six-character cobalt blue seal script mark in three columns, with the pigment deeply embedded in the glaze surface, not floating on it. Blue and white porcelain figurines demand extremely high standards in painting techniques, glaze formulation, and shape control. This piece boasts a pure cobalt blue glaze, complete and clear figure decorations, and no obvious signs of repair. It fully embodies the complete production process of Qing dynasty folk narrative porcelain, serving as a standard physical specimen for studying Qing dynasty water-based cobalt enamel techniques, traditional folk Zhong Kui auspicious patterns, and the evolution of Qing dynasty decorative ceramic shapes. It possesses a rich classical Eastern aesthetic charm, making it an ideal choice for folk porcelain-themed museum exhibitions and a perfect addition to a seasoned antique connoisseur's blue and white porcelain collection.

图片