~ Pair of Small Over-gilded Kangxi Double Gourd Vases – Circa 1720 ~
Here is a delightful pair of antique, hand-painted, over-gilded, decorative vases from China that have caused a small sensation here at the Antiques Storehouse.
They are moulded porcelain pieces, without stamps or marks, and they follow the classic double gourd shape and cobalt blue pattern of popular “cafe-au-lait” vases of the Kangxi era. We have included a comparison picture with this listing of that particular style, so that the warm creamy coffee colour at the base of each vase can be observed along with the exact same blue pattern each shares.
What differentiates these is the addition of further floral decoration and over-gilding in gold.
It really is quite remarkable and something not seen here before… the vases are busily decorated with pink, yellow and red peonies, while the cream base has an almost “Greek urn” decoration of a rich chocolate black blossom.
This must mean that the piece was embellished to meet a European taste!
History provides some perspective:
The Kangxi Emperor (2nd ruler of the Qing dynasty), governed China from 1661 to 1722. This span of 61 years makes him the longest-reigning emperor in Chinese history and one of the longest-reigning rulers in the world and furthermore, his rule was a period of great expansion, stability, and prosperity for the Chinese Empire.
Driven by a desire to stabalise rather than over-ambitiously expand his empire, he succeeded in suppressing the Mongol rebels that had plagued his country’s borders before him. Then In 1673, his government helped to mediate a truce in the Trịnh–Nguyễn War in Vietnam, which had been ongoing for 45 years since 1627. The peace treaty that was signed between the conflicting parties lasted for 101 years until 1774.
It is well documented that porcelain manufacturing flourished under the peace and prosperity of the Kangxi era and the export market boomed with the shipment of ceramics from Canton to Europe and the Western world.
So, a pair of vases such as this may very well have been made specifically for a European dealer!
This truly is an interesting time of diplomacy, exchange, influence etc. all captured in the decoration of these precious little household items.
With all that in mind we have dated these around the end of the Emperor’s reign when this shape and pattern were in demand, but also when the accord between East and West was in its fullest prime.
~ Dimensions ~
Each vase is 6 and a half inches tall (16.5 cm).
The widest part of each vase has a diameter of 3 and a half inches (9 cm).
They each weigh 0.4 kg.
~ Condition ~
These really are in excellent condition, with only slight wear to each of the vases.
The over-gilding is worn in some places on both vases, such as just beneath the neck on each.
#7026