Lot Essay
With its numerous seeds and swelling form, the gourd was a natural symbol of fertility, an association which is reinforced by its extensive network of vines and tendrils, suggesting continuity and generations of descendants. Green on white was one of the most effective combinations for glass overlay wares, and yet it remains relatively rare. Here the emerald color has been softened to a pastel green by the white beneath it, allowing particularly subtle use of shading for the ribbed fruits, leaves and tendrils. The style is typical of Beijing and the mid-Qing period, but probably dates from the late-Qianlong reign.