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Lot Essay
Vases of this form and decoration enjoyed popularity during the reign of the Qianlong Emperor (1736-1795), and continued to remain popular through the 19th century and into the Guangxu period (1875-1908). A vase similar to the present pair was sold at Christie’s London, 9 November 2004, lot 182; another similar one was sold at Christie’s New York, 22-23 March 2018, lot 834.
The ‘hundred deer’ motif was very popular as the landscape depicted contains important symbolic references. The deer has a long history in Chinese art as it refers to the rebus in which the Chinese word for ‘deer’ is a homophone for ‘emolument’ or ‘civil service salary’; the ‘hundred deer’ therefore represent the ultimate success, a career in civil service in Imperial China. The deer is also associated with Daoism and the Star God of Longevity, Shoulao, while the inclusion of peaches in the decoration is further symbolic of longevity. As such, the subject-matter on the present vase has a multitude of auspicious connotations.
The ‘hundred deer’ motif was very popular as the landscape depicted contains important symbolic references. The deer has a long history in Chinese art as it refers to the rebus in which the Chinese word for ‘deer’ is a homophone for ‘emolument’ or ‘civil service salary’; the ‘hundred deer’ therefore represent the ultimate success, a career in civil service in Imperial China. The deer is also associated with Daoism and the Star God of Longevity, Shoulao, while the inclusion of peaches in the decoration is further symbolic of longevity. As such, the subject-matter on the present vase has a multitude of auspicious connotations.