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Description
CHINA
QING DYNASTY, KANGXI PERIOD (1661–1722)
An important cylindrical porcelain vase with a powder-blue ground and gold decoration comprising two large rectangular panels depicting imperial dragons chasing a pearl amongst the clouds, alternating with small circular panels filled with motifs of fish and prawns. The design stands out against a background of large flowers and dense foliage scrolls. The neck is inscribed with stylised ‘Shou’ characters. The base features a double circle in underglaze blue.
H. 45.5 cm
A similar vase, also decorated with imperial dragons and dating from the Kangxi period, was sold at Piasa on 9 December 2013 (lot 301). This piece can also be compared to a vase in the collections of the Metropolitan Museum, New York (79.2.153), decorated with flowers, birds and poems, dated 1709.
Description:
The ‘powdered blue’ effect first appeared during the reign of Emperor Xuande (1425–1435) of the Ming dynasty, under the names ‘sprinkled blue’ ’ (sa lan 洒蓝) or ‘snowflake blue’ (xue hua lan 雪花篮).
During the reign of Kangxi (1661–1722), mainly between 1700 and 1722, artisans at the Jingdezhen kilns sought to reproduce this effect, thus giving rise to ‘powdered blue’, characterised by a rich, speckled cobalt underglaze covering most of the piece. According to written sources, the cobalt blue was blown onto the surface of the porcelain using a tube with its end covered in gauze. The pieces were then coated with a transparent glaze. After firing, this produced a deep, finely speckled blue; the powder-blue surface was often enhanced with gold decoration. The multiple firings and the high cost of materials made the production of these powder-blue porcelain pieces extremely expensive.
See original version (French)
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Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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