Pair of Chinese Imari Porcelain Vases mounted as Lamps

$15000

Status: Available

About

Each vase of baluster shape, painted with pheasants perched on rockwork flanked by large flowering tree peonies beneath iron-red lappets enclosing flowers. For a similar example (a single vase but with its lid), see Christie’s New York, 20 January 2004, Lot 203, $11,950. The dimensions mentioned include the light fittings for the height and the lampshade for the diameter. The vase itself is approximately 14in. high and 9in. diameter.

Chinese Imari, which was made in imitation of Japanese Imari, is typically characterized by a combination of blue, red and gold. Details are sometimes in black and green enamels and the porcelain tends to be whiter and brighter than its Japanese counterpart. You can often find typical Chinese motifs, and the use of red and gold, which makes Chinese Imari more lavish than Japanese. Frequent motifs are landscapes, flowers, plants, birds and mythical creatures. Portrayals of human figures are less frequent. Chinese Imari is also known to have a thinner glaze and to be more finely potted. The first Chinese Imari was produced at the end of the reign of the Chinese emperor Kangxi (1662-1722) and it remained popular up until the mid 18th century.