Vase with enameled decoration of flowers and Chinese characters
For several weeks, my husband and I have been researching a Chinese vase we purchased at an auction. The colors look like they belong to the famille verte art work. I have not been able to find a shape that is identical to the one we have.
Could you offer us some suggestions on what period this vase may be from, or tell us the direction to follow for more research.
Attached are two photographs of the vase. Any help you can give us will be appreciated.
From the first half of the 20th century
Your vase is hard to date exactly based on its style only.
It is typical, though, for vases generally considered to belong to the first half of the 20th century.
The decoration had by this time wandered off from those generally meant by any "Famille" denominations. The Chinese name today is "Fencai" meaning "soft enamels" in general.
A close examination of the inscription will probably reveal a Chinese cyclical date, but since these dates equally well could be the date of the poem as of the vase, it normally does not help very much.
Sincerely,
Jan-Erik Nilsson
This information is given as an example of private conversation only and is not intended to
promote any individual piece. All opinions are the authors and are given as such with all hazards of judging anything from a photo. Copyright © Jan-Erik Nilsson, Göteborg 2000.
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