83.
A ‘BLUE AND WHITE’ BOTTLE VASE
Qing dynasty, Kangxi period, late 17th–early 18th century
27,7 cm high
Provenance: Naples, Villa della Floridiana, Museo Duca di Martina, Placido de Sangro (1829-1891) collection.
inv. n. 3732.
The decoration on the body consists of two large reserves with lobed profiles, one of them with a qilin amidst waves in a landscape with mounts and clouds, the other with two phoenixes flying amidst peonies and rocks, the neck with two bands of spirals and two bands of small circles, two concentric circles to the centre of the base.
The contemporary presence of the phoenix (fenghuang) and the qilin is rather common as decoration of porcelain of the Kangxi period. While the first is associated with the yin female principle, in complementary opposition to the dragon which incarnates the yang male principle, the mythological bird considered as a consequence the main symbol of the empress, the qilin is an imaginary animal which represents a number of positive attributes, such as benevolence, longevity, happiness and wisdom.
The appearance of both the phoenix and the qilin is considered an omen of a period of prosperity, which usually occurs during the reign of virtuous sovereigns.
