Kangxi period, 1662–1722
China

height: 47 cm

The ovoid body of each vase is decorated with pheasants amongst ornamental pierced rockwork, and flowering trees and plants. A butterfly and bright yellow full moon in the night sky creates a wonderfully atmospheric composition set against the black background. A band of yellow lotus flowers with green scrolling leaves encircles the splayed foot, and a flowering prunus branch above a yellow band decorates each neck.

The freedom and vigour of the draughtsmanship, combined with the brilliance of the enamels (particularly the yellow – which jumps out from the composition) are characteristic of the porcelain from this period. Also to be noted is the shrinking of the black enamel away from the body – leaving a matt black ground that is only found on the famille noire porcelains of the Kangxi period.

similar example
‘Catalogue of the Leonard Gow Collection of Chinese Porcelain’ by R. L. Hobson – plate lxxvii – and further illustrated in the catalogue for ‘The International Exhibition of Chinese Art’, Royal Academy, 1935 – no. 1674.