Vase, porcelain, painted with coloured enamels, China, Qing dynasty, 19th century

Vase with long cylindrical body painted in enamel colours with an interior containing numerous groups of figures and landscapes, likely scenes from the novel 'The Water Margin', Kylins playing with balls make up the handles and lizrds in relief are prominent on the neck

This vase is decorated in a lavish palette of colours with scenes from the popular novel 'The Water Margin'. Huge vases as big as five feet high were made to be viewed at a distance, on a staircase or in a lighted niche. The crowded decoration appears to be somewhat coarse when seen at close range, due to the fact that it was not intended for detailed inspection. The taste for such 'mandarin vases' continued unabated into the 19th century, and many houses in Europe still contain large display pieces in this style today.
Purchased from H. Stevens, accessioned in 1883. This acquisition information reflects that found in the Asia Department registers, as part of a 2022 provenance research project.

The colourful decoration on this huge vase shows scenes from the popular novel The Water Margin. Potters designed these these large vases, some as big as 152 cm high, to be seen at a distance, on a staircase or in a lighted niche. The crowded decoration was not intended for close inspection and appears to be somewhat coarse when seen at close range. These 'mandarin vases' remained popular into the 19th century, and many houses in Europe still have large display pieces in this style today.

666-1883