A Very Fine Chinese Square Famille Rose Vase with Figures and Inscriptions

拍品描述

A Very Fine Chinese Square Famille Rose Vase with Figures and Inscriptions Republic period (1912-1949), dated 1917, the flaring neck rising from angular shoulders, flanked by gilt applied molded lion-mask handles suspending rings, finely painted in famille rose enamels to one side with two elegant ladies and a young attendant beneath a willow tree, the opposing side with a pair of red-crowned cranes amidst flowering peonies and pine, symbolic of longevity and prosperity, the lateral sides inscribed with Li Bai's celebrated Qingping Diao poems, accompanied by further inscriptions in iron red and black with red seals, recessed unglazed foot with remains of a red wax export seal. 17 x 7 x 6 in. The decoration on this vase draws directly upon Li Bai's celebrated Qingping Diao poems, traditionally composed for Emperor Xuanzong while admiring flowering peonies in the company of his favored consort Yang Guifei. The juxtaposition of elegant court beauties with flowering peonies on the present vase gives pictorial form to Li Bai's comparison of the legendary beauty of Yang Guifei with the “king of flowers.” The cranes and pine further convey wishes for longevity. Private Collection, North Carolina Additional high-resolution photos are available at www.lelandlittle.com

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