Chinese Export Trompe l'Oeil Porcelain Model of a Peach

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"Symbol of Immortality": Large Chinese Export Porcelain Trompe L'oeil Peach (Altar Fruit)
Circa 1850

A striking and unusually large Chinese … Read more "Symbol of Immortality": Large Chinese Export Porcelain Trompe L'oeil Peach (Altar Fruit)
Circa 1850

A striking and unusually large Chinese Export porcelain model of a peach, dating to the mid-19th century. This piece is executed in the trompe l'oeil (trick of the eye) style, designed to sit on a temple or domestic altar as a permanent offering.

The fruit is potted with a naturalistic, organic volume. The glazing creates a realistic transition from a pale celadon-green body to a vibrant iron-red blush at the tip, simulating ripeness. A gnarled brown stem issues from the top, anchoring three large, molded green leaves that drape over the shoulder of the fruit.

Condition: Excellent antique condition. Enamels remain bright.

Measurements:
Height: 5 1/2 inches (14.0 cm)
Width: 6 inches (15.2 cm)
Depth: 5 inches (12.7 cm)

Historical Context:

In Chinese culture, the peach (tao) is the supreme symbol of longevity and immortality, often associated with Shoulau (the Star God of Longgevity) and the Queen Mother of the West, whose peaches ripened only once every 3,000 years. Porcelain models of fruit, often called "Altar Fruit," were placed on shrines to ensure that a "fresh" offering was always present for the ancestors or deities. The large size of this example suggests it was a significant centerpiece for such an arrangement.

(Ref: VM98798) See less