Pair of Chinese porcelain and gilded bronze vases

Rare pair of Meiping vases in Chinese porcelain.
Model with a white background enriched with yellow, pink, green, white and blue polychrome enamels.
Very beautiful decoration of tree peonies in a rocky environment of palace gardens, with butterflies, perched birds, a rare crane in flight or even a deer eating a strain of linghzi mushrooms.
The shoulder is surrounded by a frieze with ruyi heads which is centered with flowers on a background of lattices.
The collar is decorated with scrolls of flowers.

Bronze mount with square bases decorated with interlacing friezes and Greek-style recesses with scraper reserves.
The bases surmounted by rings with laurel tori which surround the feet of the vases.
The collars decorated with flared and openwork necklines.

Original mercury gilding (wear).

Very good state of conservation, without accident; the bottoms formerly drilled to be mounted as a lamp.

Porcelain, China, famille rose, Jinqxi province, Jingdezhen kilns, reign of Emperor Yongzheng around 1720-1730.

The bronze mount adapted under Louis XVI by a Parisian mercer to transform vases into pots pourris.

Dimensions:

Total height: 30.5 cm
Height of vases: 23 cm

Our opinion :

The pair of vases we present feature an opulent shape called “Meiping” in Asia.
The slightly flared foot is topped by broad shoulders ending in a small tightened collar.
These vases are actually the origin of alcohol bottles, the term “Meiping” meaning “Prunus bottle” in Chinese, i.e. for plum wine.
Due to their success, these utilitarian objects were diverted a first time to become vases at the beginning of the 18th century in Europe, then a second time a few decades later to become potpourri thanks to the addition of a precious mount bronze openwork in the upper part.
Finally in the 19th century, with the advent of lighting systems, our pair of bottles was transformed into kerosene lamps, with the body serving as a container, then the lamps were electrified at the end of the 19th century.
During all these adventures, our porcelains were preserved in perfect condition, probably thanks to the richness of their decoration which made them objects of great luxury.
The peony flower, considered in China as the queen of flowers, symbolizes prosperity; it is associated here with the crane and the Deer which both symbolize longevity.
This theme is reinforced by the discovery of the mythical linghzi mushroom which makes those who eat it immortal.
The shape of our vases and their “Cassius purple” enamel decoration allow them to be classified in the pink family and under the reign of Emperor Yongzheng around 1720-1730.
It was during this period that the secret of pink enamels, the only color invented in Europe, arrived in China.
The very significant presence of green enamels still very “Kangxi” inspired indicates the very beginning of this large production for export to Europe which took place from 1720 from the city of Jingdezhen.