DAOGUANG SEAL MARK IN UNDERGLAZE BLUE AND OF THE PERIOD (1821-1850)

The distinctive shape of this vase, characterized by a bulbous body and an elongated neck, is identified in Chinese as shang ping or a "reward vase." This elegant form was favored by the Yongzheng Emperor, who often bestowed such vases as rewards upon officials for their achievements at court, giving rise to the name shang ping. Notably, the lotus motif which appears on the present vase in the broad band of the body, symbolizes purity and honesty, and was a recurrent feature on these vases. The wordplay within the qing (blue) and lian (lotus) elements forms the term qinglian (incorruptible), an idiomatic expression used by emperors to counsel officials against corruption throughout their careers. Consequently, the tradition of decorating shang ping vases with the blue and white lotus motif became a longstanding practice in the production of imperial porcelains. Compare a similar bottle vase of comparable size (36.5 cm. high) formerly in the Edward T. Chow Collection that sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 30 November 2016, lot 3410.