Blue and White Porcelain Vase with Peonies Attributed to the 19th Century

Description

A porcelain bottle vase of Chinese manufacture with underglaze blue decoration attributed to the 19th century.

Its silhouette combines a generously rounded body with a long narrow neck ending in a flared mouth. The vase rests on a ring foot. Its shape is closely related to pear-shaped vases of the yuhuchunping type.

The hand-painted decoration features large flowering peonies surrounded by scrolling foliage. The petals are defined by outlines and fine hatching, with variations in the blue lending depth to the flowers. Long upright plantain-leaf motifs extend along the neck.

Several decorative borders structure the composition: bands of scrolling foliage between horizontal lines and panels containing stylised vegetal motifs above the foot. The glossy glaze reveals the nuances of the blue decoration against the pale porcelain ground.

The underside is glazed with an unglazed foot rim. No maker’s or reign mark is visible.

Attribution: China. A cautious attribution to the 19th century is proposed, without assigning the vase to a particular reign or workshop.

Condition: Small inclusions and surface irregularities are present, together with areas of glaze shrinkage. An old firing-related shrinkage defect extends for approximately 2 cm across part of the neck. This is identified as a manufacturing defect rather than subsequent accidental cracking. Wear and irregularities are visible, particularly around the foot rim. The detailed photographs allow these features to be examined.

Dimensions:

• Height: 22.5 cm.

• Maximum diameter: 15 cm.

• Weight: 898 grams.