Pair Chinese Mirror Black Baluster Vase Lamps Gilt Prunus Decoration, Circa 1900

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Pair of Chinese Mirror Black Baluster Vase Lamps with Gilt Prunus Decoration, Rewired

A refined pair of Chinese porcelain baluster-form … Read more Pair of Chinese Mirror Black Baluster Vase Lamps with Gilt Prunus Decoration, Rewired

A refined pair of Chinese porcelain baluster-form vases, now mounted as table lamps, dating to the early-to-mid 20th century and exemplifying the enduring aesthetic appeal of Qing-inspired decorative arts for the export market. Each vase is finished in a rich “mirror black” glaze—a deep, lustrous black developed in the Kangxi period (1662–1722) and prized for its resemblance to lacquer, offering a reflective ground for overglaze decoration.

Executed in finely rendered gilt, the surface decoration features flowering prunus (mei hua) branches—an iconic motif in Chinese art symbolizing perseverance, renewal, and purity. The five-petaled blossoms and angular branches are delineated in gold and further embellished with engraved details to simulate texture and dimensionality. This technique of incised gilding over a black-glazed ground is characteristic of export porcelains intended to appeal to Western tastes while retaining distinctly Chinese symbolic language.

The vases have been mounted as lamps with carved ebonized wood bases and gilt-painted wooden caps that echo the profile of traditional bronze lamp hardware. Modern electrical fittings with gold cloth cords have been added, and the lamps have been fully rewired for contemporary use.

Measurements:
– Height to top of socket: 25.5 inches
– Height to top of vase: 20 inches
– Height of porcelain body: 18 inches
– Diameter: 7 inches
– Base diameter: 7 inches

Condition: Professionally rewired. Gilt decoration and glazed surfaces exhibit minor wear consistent with age and use. No chips, cracks, or structural losses noted.

This pair exemplifies the syncretic elegance of 20th-century chinoiserie objects—fusing traditional forms and symbols with materials and adaptations suited for Western interiors. See less