150.
A ‘FAMILLE VERTE’ DOUBLE GOURD VASE, HULUPING
Qing dynasty, Kangxi period, early 18th century
18,5 cm high
Provenance: Naples, Villa della Floridiana, Museo Duca di Martina, Placido de Sangro (1829-1891).
inv. n. 3784.
Despite being one of the most popular in all the fields of Chinese art, the decorative motif of the lion (shi) has foreign origins. This animal has in fact never inhabited the territories of China, but was instead present in western Asia and India, where it has always represented nobility, strength and loyalty, often associated with the otherworldly sphere as protector of different divinities. Since ancient times, the lion has played the role of guardian of the Law also in China, especially in Buddhist context. From an iconographic point of view, the lion motif has over time taken on specific features that evidently deviate from the real physiognomic data. As can be clearly seen from the decoration on this vase, the Chinese lion has in fact an aspect that is in some ways closer to that of the large Tibetan dogs, well known and appreciated also in China since ancient times.
The upper pear-shaped section of the vase is decorated with stylized lotus scrolls (lianhua), symbol of purity because they bloom in the muddy water, inside ruyi head shaped cartouches.
The gourd shape itself has strong symbolic connotations, since a similar container, an attribute for example of the immortal Li Tieguai, is thought to contain the elixir of immortality.
