Lot 35 A Chinese blue and white 'Birds Among Flowers' vase

A Chinese blue and white 'Birds Among Flowers' vase

Transitional period

未知

€ 2.500 – € 5.000

H: H. 21,5 cm

未知

A globular jar, raised on a slightly tapering short foot and rising to a short neck with a gently thickened rim. The jar is decorated in vibrant underglaze cobalt blue, the neck encircled by a continuous band of stylised pointed foliate scrolls. The shoulder is painted with three different flowering branches above a reverse-decorated band of foliate scrollwork reserved in white. The body is decorated with a continuous scene depicting a single pheasant and ten magpies, shown both in flight and at rest among flowering plants and a leafless tree, with scattered flying insects enlivening the composition. Below the main scene, the lower body is decorated with a band of slightly oblique hanging lappet motifs.
In Chinese symbolism, both the magpie and the pheasant are auspicious birds, each carrying distinct meanings. Depicted together, they convey wishes for happiness, prosperity, and official success.
罐呈圓鼓形，下承微束的矮圈足，短頸，口沿微厚。通體以濃艷青花裝飾，頸部環繪尖葉卷草紋，肩部分繪三組折枝花卉，其下環飾青花地留白卷草紋。腹部以青花通景繪一隻錦雞與十隻喜鵲，或展翅飛翔，或棲息於花草及枯樹枝間，並點綴飛蟲，使畫面更具生趣。近足處環飾略呈斜向排列的垂葉紋。
喜鵲與錦雞皆為中國傳統吉祥禽鳥。喜鵲寓意喜事臨門，錦雞則因羽色華美，象徵高貴、富貴與仕途前程。二者相配，寄託幸福吉慶、富貴昌盛及仕途順遂的美好願望。
Provenance:
Rob Michiels Auctions, Bruges, 27 April 2019, lot 576. (sold EUR 5.200,00) (link)
The Mr. and Mrs. Baert-Devos Collection, Belgium. Acquired from the above. (see added scan)