Reference: 10067
A pair of large Japanese Arita blue and white baluster vases with domed covers painted with panels of peony sprays divided by ruyi-bands, 18th century, around 1700-1730, Arita, Japan.
Blue and white
Dimensions: 52 cm. height.
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A pair of Japanese Arita blue and white baluster jars with domed covers painted with panels of peony sprays divided by ruyi-bands. Made in the Edo Period (1603-1868) in the early 18th century, these vases were crafted for the export to the European market.
Two depicted elements are prominently present: The ruyi-bands and the peony flowers.
The word ruyi itself comes from the two characters rú (如) and yì (意), and together they literally mean “as you wish.” On the first glaze it looks like the Lingzhi (fungi) symbol, but it has another meaning. The symbol depicts the upper rounded part of the ruyi scepter: a Chinese ceremonial attribute and a sign of authority. According to superstition, the ruyi brings its owner good luck, blessings, and a long life. The ruyi motif spread across whole East Asia after the symbol became populair in the Tang dynasty (618-705).
The peony fdepicted between fences is known as the queen of flowers. It symbolizes royality but also spring. Historically, peonies were considered a symbol of high social status in China, as they were favored by the imperial court and often depicted in art and antiques. The flower's beauty and rarity made it a symbol of good fortune and honor, particularly in the context of marriage and family life.
Japanese porcelain was inspired by Chinese underglaze blue porcelain but usually has a darker and grayer appearance. The decoration and with that too the symbols on the porcelain Japanese wares were also often inspired of the Chinese culture, but this does not mean that these symbols were not already part of the Japanese culture. The peony flower and ruyi symbols were for example already introduced in Japan around the Chinese Tang dynasty (618-705)
In the mid-17th century, China's porcelain production declined due to social unrest. Dutch merchants, based on Deshima Island near Nagasaki, were allowed to trade with Japan and encouraged the emerging Japanese porcelain industry to meet European demand, filling the gap left by China.
Conditon: The two lids of the cover have minor restorations.
Provenance: The property of a distinguished collector, removed from an 18th century Chelsea house on Cheyenne Walk.
Christie's Amsterdam 24-25 June 2008, 'Live Auction 2811, European Noble and private Collections ', lot 380.
A pair of large Japanese Arita blue and white baluster vases with domed covers painted with panels of peony sprays divided by ruyi-bands, 18th century, around 1700-1730, Arita, Japan.
Blue and white
Dimensions: 52 cm. height.
A Chinese Kangxi (1662-1722) porcelain Imari-style armorial wedding plate for the Dutch market, 18th century, around 1700-1720, Jingdezhen/Canton, China.
Chinese Imari
Dimensions: 24 cm. diameter.
A pair of two jardinières with plume trees, 18th century, Dehua, China
Blanc de Chine
Dimension: 26,5 cm. height.
A set of three Vienna bronze oriental figures on tapestry, 19th/20th century, around 1900, Vienna, Austria.
Dimensions: 10, 15 and 17 cm. height.
Marked 'HK' / 'HA' at the bottom (unknown artist) .
A Japanese lacquer coffer for the Dutch market in pictorial style with exotic patterns, 17th century, around 1650-1680, Kyoto, Japan.
Dimensions: 22,5x45x26 cm.
A Chinese early Qianlong period (1735-1796) Famille Rose chocolate pot with cover depicting a scene from the ‘Romance of the Western Chamber’, 18th century, around 1740, Jingdezhen, China.
Famille rose
Dimensions: 16cm. Height.
A compact Dutch colonial storage chest of tropical hardwood on bun feet, late 18th century, around 1750-1800, Indian Ocean area.
Dimensions: 50x91x62 cm.
Dutch Delft Lobbed dish with in the center oriental figures surrounded by palm trees, 17th century, around 1670-1680, Delft, Holland.
Blue and white
Dimensions: 33 cm. diameter.
A Kangxi period (1662-1722) Blanc de Chine figure of a seated Guanyin holding a child surrounded by a girl (Longnü), a boy (Sudhana) and dragon, 17th century, around 1680-1700, Dehua, China.
Dimensions: 22,5 cm height.
A Yongzheng period (1722-1735) plate with 'Governor Duff' decoration in Chinese verte-imari, 18th century, around 1725-1730, Jingdezhen, China.
Chinese verte-imari
Dimensions: 23,3 cm diameter.
A small Indo-Portuguese table cabinet on bun feet made out of rosewood and ivory inlayed, 17th century, around 1600-1650, Gujarat or Sindh, India.
Dimensions: 20x25,5x18 cm.
A rare and historically important Delft earthenware double-gourd-shaped vase with Japanese influenced decoration, around 1660-1680, Delft, Holland.
Blue and white
Dimensions: 37,2 cm height.
A Yongzheng period (1722-1735) bowl with 'Governor Duff' decoration in Chinese verte-imari, 18th century, around 1725-1730, Jingdezhen, China.
Chinese verte-imari
Dimensions: 17,5 cm diameter.
Three rare Kakiemon decorated plates in blue and white depicting a dog trainer in the center surrounded by low moulded relief decoration, 18th century, around 1700-1730, Arita, Japan.
Blue and white
Dimensions: 22 cm. diameter
An elegant Qianlong period (1735-1796) larger bowl with flower and tree decoration, 18th century, around 1740, Jingdezhen, China.
Blue and white
Dimensions: 26,5 cm. diameter.
A Chinese Kangxi period (1662-1722) Imari style oil and vinegar set for the European market, 18th century, around 1700-1720, Jingdezhen, China.
Imari
Dimensions: around 15 cm. height
A pair of tin Empire candlesticks in lacquer with floral motifs, 19th century, around 1815, Holland.
Dimensions: 22.5 cm. height.
