A BLUE AND WHITE DOUBLE GOURD-FORM VASE

MING DYNASTY, WANLI PERIOD (1573-1619)

Details

A BLUE AND WHITE DOUBLE GOURD-FORM VASE
MING DYNASTY, WANLI PERIOD (1573-1619)
Both bulbs painted with birds in continuous rocky landscapes of plum, pine and bamboo beneath scrolling clouds and pendent ruyi heads, the waist decorated with floral reserves on a wave ground, repeated in similar fashion along the neck between opposed ruyi head and single line borders
17½ in. (43.2 cm.) high

Lot Essay

The decoration on this vase, pine, prunus and bamboo, known as the 'The Three Friends of Winter', or simply 'The Three Friends', symbolizes the strength, purity and uprightness of the cultivated gentleman, and is a common decoration on porcelain throughout the Ming and Qing dynasties.

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