THREE ‘BLUE AND WHITE’ BOTTLE VASES

96.

THREE ‘BLUE AND WHITE’ BOTTLE VASES
Qing dynasty, Kangxi period, early 18th century
24 cm high each
Provenance: Naples, Villa della Floridiana, Museo Duca di Martina, Placido de Sangro (1829-1891) collection.
inv. nn. 3278, 3281, 3285.

The ovoid body rising from a splayed base and supporting a bulbous neck, the decoration to the body consisting of high-handled baskets full of flowers.

Baskets are considered symbolic of abundance because they can hold many items, especially flowers. This subject had a particular success on Chinese porcelain of the 18th century explicitly destined to Europe, where it was appreciated because of the harmony of such compositions.