Large Turquoise-Glazed Archaistic Pottery Vase and Cover

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Description

In the Chinese archaistic taste, late 19th/early 20th century
An imposing square-sectioned vase and domed cover of tapering archaistic form, … Read more In the Chinese archaistic taste, late 19th/early 20th century
An imposing square-sectioned vase and domed cover of tapering archaistic form, the moulded earthenware body covered overall in a vivid turquoise-blue glaze pooling over crisply worked relief decoration heightened against a darkened ground. Each broad face is densely carved with a leiwen keyfret diaper centred on a roundel of confronted archaistic kui dragons, beneath a bat (fu, the emblem of happiness) and stylised shou longevity characters, the angles flanked by further dragon motifs; one face is applied with a bold elephant-head mock ring handle in high relief, a motif derived from archaic bronze vessels. The waisted neck is moulded with a band of roundels and scrollwork, and the cover continues the archaistic vocabulary around a metal-fitted apex. The whole consciously evokes the great tradition of Qing turquoise-glazed wares in the manner of archaic bronzes, a taste eagerly embraced in both East Asia and the West during the Aesthetic Movement of the late nineteenth century. The base is unglazed buff earthenware, drilled at the centre for a former lamp mounting, the fitting now removed save for a rusted ferrule. An impressive and sculptural decorative object of striking colour. Please request a full condition report for details.
— THE HOUSE —
From The Orient Gates: four generations of the Harb family, Damascene artisans and antique dealers since the 1870s, heirs of the painter Abou Sobhi Al-Tinawi (Muhammad Harb). Every piece is examined, restored and documented in our family ateliers. A certificate of authenticity accompanies every piece.
— DETAILS —
Origin: East Asia, in the Chinese archaistic taste
Period: Late 19th/early 20th century, circa 1880–1920
Materials: Glazed earthenware, Turquoise glaze
Dimensions: Height: 54 cm (21¼ in.) See less