Bottle with flowers and classical treasures
Description
The shape of this vase is rather unusual, having a flaring mouth, swelling neck, a slightly constricted waist and a bulbous belly resting on a flaring foot. The blue glaze, like the previous example, is of the salan type. The gold decoration is finely executed, showing a combination of floral motifs and the classical treasures (bogu). This design is also known as “hundred antiques,” a popular subject for Chinese decorative art since the early 17th century. Included in “hundred antiques” are various auspicious symbols, vessels of antiquity, and objects of religious and worldly traditions. In China, the “hundred” in this case means “many,” and does not necessarily restrict the motif to exactly a hundred objects.
The reserve panels in the section beneath the mouth rim display the classical treasures motif of still life groupings depicting ancient vessel shapes and vases on fancy stands. This is followed by a band of flowers, and flowers in reserves against a diaper background. The belly has reserves of various shapes and sizes, filled with different flowers, chrysanthemums (a flower of autumn which symbolizes longevity) and objects among the “hundred antiques” such as the chessboard (one of the four scholarly pursuits).
Sir Ratan Tata Art Collection
Collection
Chinese Art
Object Type
Vase
Material
Porcelain with blue glaze and gold decoration
Schools/Culture/Period
Qing dynasty, Kangxi period
Technique
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Date
1662-1722
Location
Jingdezhen production, Jiangxi province, China
Dimension
H: 41.3 cms., Dia: 14.5 cms.