A tall white jade covered vase with floral carvings, Hu

Qing dynasty, 18th to 19th century
Height: 11 in (28 cm)
Width: 5 3/8 in (13.7 cm)

Two qilong heads (young water dragons) emerge from the sides of the nephrite vessel to form the handles with a free-floating ring. The lid and mouth are carved with a border of a leiwen or key fret motif, which is repeated on the narrow base. The lid is capped with a peony finial. The exquisite floral carvings on the body of the vessel portray on one side a peony bush, while the other side portrays a hibiscus plant, both in bloom. The peony could convey different meanings, but when combined with the hibiscus (fu rong), which can be interpreted as wishing fame (rong) and splendor (fu), the symbolism of the peony fits that of “wealth and distinction.” Together with a fitted box.

Provenance: The Tianhe Shanfang collection

Published: Asiantiques, Chinese Works of Art (2009), cat. no. 5

Ref. 858216

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