Pair of 19th Century Chinese Export Famille Rose Vases Gilt Foo Lion Handles

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Pair of 19th-Century Chinese Export Famille Rose Vases with Gilt Foo Lion Handles

China, Qing Dynasty, circa 1880

Dimensions: 7.75” … Read more Pair of 19th-Century Chinese Export Famille Rose Vases with Gilt Foo Lion Handles

China, Qing Dynasty, circa 1880

Dimensions: 7.75” high × 3” diameter × 2.5” base diameter

A vibrant and finely detailed pair of 19th-century Chinese export porcelain vases, hand-painted in the Famille Rose palette and richly adorned with auspicious imagery. Each baluster-form vase features alternating panels depicting birds in flight among blossoming peonies, butterflies, bamboo, and rockwork—a harmonious tableau drawn from traditional Chinese symbolism.

The birds and butterflies together suggest joy, transformation, and the arrival of spring, while peonies, known as the “king of flowers,” symbolize wealth, honor, and feminine beauty. The inclusion of bamboo represents resilience and integrity, and the green lingzhi-shaped rockwork is a reference to immortality and longevity in Daoist belief.

Framing these scenes are scrolling floral panels painted in a brilliant imperial yellow enamel, a color once reserved for the Qing court. By the late 19th century, this hue had come into broader use in high-quality export porcelain, favored for its auspicious associations with prosperity, power, and imperial favor.

At the neck, applied gilt-molded foo lion handles further reinforce the theme of protection and strength. The vases are executed with confident brushwork and fine enamel detail, showcasing the refined craftsmanship of the Jingdezhen kilns.

Unmarked, as typical for export wares of the period, the bases exhibit wear and firing residue consistent with late 19th-century production.

A richly symbolic and decorative pair, ideal for display on a mantel, console, or within a collection of Qing dynasty porcelain. See less