58.
A POLYCHROME ENAMELLED BEAKER VASE, GU
Qing dynasty, Shunzhi period
38,3 cm high
Provenance: Naples, Villa della Floridiana, Museo Duca di Martina, Placido de Sangro (1829-1891) collection.
inv. n. 4226.
The beaker vase is decorated around the upper section with panels enclosing a jardinière with lotus leaves and blossoms reserved against a diaper ground, between border enclosing ruyi-heads alternating with cartouches enclosing lotus sprays, all below sectional wan ground alternating with prunus blossoms and scroll borders. The mid-section with a leafy peony scroll between scrolling borders, and the lower section with pendent lappets reserved against cash diaper ground.
The lotus, one of the Eight Buddhist Emblems, is symbolic of purity, and the peony, associated with the third month, is known as the ‘king of flowers’ as well as Fu gui hua, meaning “the flower of wealth and honour”.
A closely related gu vase is in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London (inv. n. 7106-1860).
