A TURQUOISE-GROUND IRON-RED-DECORATED 'FISH' VASE

19TH CENTURY

Details

A TURQUOISE-GROUND IRON-RED-DECORATED 'FISH' VASE
19TH CENTURY
Of square section, the vase is potted with tall sides tapering to a small circular mouth rim. The exterior of the body is delicately painted with playful fish in shades of iron-red, black and gold cleverly adopted to portray the natural appearance and movement of the fish. The turquoise ground simulates the colour of water to enhance the vibrancy of the scene.
9¾ in. (25 cm.) high

Provenance

The collection of Sir David Miller Barbour, K.C.M.G., formed from the 1880s onwards.

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Cherrei Yuan Tian

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Lot Essay

Square section bottle vases became popular during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) as their shape enabled easy transportation. Modelled on a European glass shape, they were often used for containing spirits. An example of a Ming Dynasty blue and white square section bottle is in the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, inventory no. OA 1960.7-21.1. The current lot demonstrates that the production of these vases continued to the Qing Dynasty.

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