A LARGE FAMILLE ROSE BOTTLE VASECHINA, EARLY 20TH CENTURY

Since the 18th century the subject of quails and ripe millet sprays has been very popular at the Qing Court. An auspicious rebus appears to be implied, since the Chinese character for "quail" (an) has the same sound as the character for "peace" and the ear of grain is a pun for "year" (sui), the combination suggesting a wish for peace year after year.