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Lot Essay
'SOLDIER' VASES
The porcelain-obsessed Augustus the Strong (1670-1733), Elector of Saxony and King of Poland, entered into infamy for any number of reasons, but one of the strongest contenders came in 1717, when he traded six hundred of his own cavalrymen, known as dragoons, to Frederick the Great of Prussia, in exchange for a collection of 150 Chinese porcelain vases; eighteen of which were imposing floor vases, of the same scale as the present lot. Thereafter these monumental vases were known as 'dragoon vases' (dragonervasen) or 'soldier vases'. Extremely difficult to make, to pack and to ship, these massive vases were destined for Europe's elites, where they stood guard in ballrooms and great halls of palaces and country houses. The Jesuit traveler to Jingdezhen, Père d'Entrecolles, recorded in his famous letters, "...Urns above three Foot high without the Lid...out of twenty-four eight only succeeded...These Works were bespoke by the Merchants of Canton for the European trade."
THE PHOENIX IN CHINESE ART
The stately phoenix on the present pair, that more than half the height of the jar, are perhaps the most exalted of all Chinese birds. A common motif, the mystical bird is symbolic of sun and warmth for summer and harvest, especially so with the presence of peonies, which are thought to bring honor, wealth and good fortune; although, this may have been lost on the Western market, which viewed the phoenix and peony simply as captivatingly exotic Asian birds and beautiful flowers.
THE TIBOR COLLECTION
The Tibor Collection was formed over decades, growing to encompass every category of Chinese export porcelain, from small, charming tea wares to massive pairs of important jars such as these impressive examples. The collector had a deep appreciation for the magnificent porcelains made for New Spain, as well as for the lifelike charm and elegance of Chinese porcelain figure and animal models. With its decoration of fantasy birds and flowers, at once delicate and bold, the present pair of soldier vases represents perfectly the overall collection.
The porcelain-obsessed Augustus the Strong (1670-1733), Elector of Saxony and King of Poland, entered into infamy for any number of reasons, but one of the strongest contenders came in 1717, when he traded six hundred of his own cavalrymen, known as dragoons, to Frederick the Great of Prussia, in exchange for a collection of 150 Chinese porcelain vases; eighteen of which were imposing floor vases, of the same scale as the present lot. Thereafter these monumental vases were known as 'dragoon vases' (dragonervasen) or 'soldier vases'. Extremely difficult to make, to pack and to ship, these massive vases were destined for Europe's elites, where they stood guard in ballrooms and great halls of palaces and country houses. The Jesuit traveler to Jingdezhen, Père d'Entrecolles, recorded in his famous letters, "...Urns above three Foot high without the Lid...out of twenty-four eight only succeeded...These Works were bespoke by the Merchants of Canton for the European trade."
THE PHOENIX IN CHINESE ART
The stately phoenix on the present pair, that more than half the height of the jar, are perhaps the most exalted of all Chinese birds. A common motif, the mystical bird is symbolic of sun and warmth for summer and harvest, especially so with the presence of peonies, which are thought to bring honor, wealth and good fortune; although, this may have been lost on the Western market, which viewed the phoenix and peony simply as captivatingly exotic Asian birds and beautiful flowers.
THE TIBOR COLLECTION
The Tibor Collection was formed over decades, growing to encompass every category of Chinese export porcelain, from small, charming tea wares to massive pairs of important jars such as these impressive examples. The collector had a deep appreciation for the magnificent porcelains made for New Spain, as well as for the lifelike charm and elegance of Chinese porcelain figure and animal models. With its decoration of fantasy birds and flowers, at once delicate and bold, the present pair of soldier vases represents perfectly the overall collection.