拍品专文
A smaller pair of boldy-decorated blue-ground jars and covers of this visially dramatic type is still in the Russian State Collections, from the Imperial Tzarist palace at Oranienbaum to which the pair has now returned for permanent exhibition.
These vases are similar in dimensions and date to the famous 'Soldier Vases' (or Dragonervasen) in the Japanese Palace at Dresden, recorded in the first inventory of the collections in 1723; see Schätze Chinas aus Museen der DDR, Catalogue, pl.214 and 215, pp.312-313. During the 17th and 18th Centuries it is recorded that German dukes and princelings in the dozens of minor but highly competitive electorates and courts sold or hired out their soldiers as demand and necessity required, frequently in exchange for such socially significant and culturally enriching works of art as Chinese porcelain recently imported to the region through the North European East India Companies. It was noted that in 1717, six hundred cavalrymen were worth 151 pieces which included 18 of the large vases such as the ones offered for sale in this lot.
These vases are similar in dimensions and date to the famous 'Soldier Vases' (or Dragonervasen) in the Japanese Palace at Dresden, recorded in the first inventory of the collections in 1723; see Schätze Chinas aus Museen der DDR, Catalogue, pl.214 and 215, pp.312-313. During the 17th and 18th Centuries it is recorded that German dukes and princelings in the dozens of minor but highly competitive electorates and courts sold or hired out their soldiers as demand and necessity required, frequently in exchange for such socially significant and culturally enriching works of art as Chinese porcelain recently imported to the region through the North European East India Companies. It was noted that in 1717, six hundred cavalrymen were worth 151 pieces which included 18 of the large vases such as the ones offered for sale in this lot.