An important pair of 18th century Chinese documented blue and white porcelain altar vases, the impressive size four-sided vessels heavily potted in the classic "Gu" form, each side finely decorated in strong underglazed-blue with bands of archaistic stylized dragons and stiff leaves, flower pattern encircling the shaped bases, the lower section of each vase inscribed with a six-character inscription, one of "Zezhou Fu, Fengtai Yuan" (Zezhou Palace; Fengtai County), one inscribed "Jingdezhen; Xunjian Xian" (Presented by the Department of Inspection Patrols of Jingdezhen), undersides of each vase unglazed.

NOTE : The Zezhou Palace was situated in the southeast of the Shanxi province of northern China, in the sixth year of Yongzheng (1728), the Fengtai County was established within Zezhou. The Zezhou Palace was abolished during the early Republic era, and the Fengtai County was renamed Jincheng County and upgraded to Jincheng City in 1985, the surrounding areas adjacent to the Jincheng City was then renamed Zezhou County in 1996 to the present day.

According to the inscriptions on the present vases, it is certain that sometime during the 18th century they were commissioned by the Inspection Patrols Department (possibly equivalent to the present day police department) of Jingdezhen, and were produced in Jingdezhen, most likely as a complete altar set of five pieces which would have included an incense burner, a pair of candle-holders, and a pair of "Gu" vases, and then presented as a gift or on an official ceremony, to a Buddhist monastery or some high ranking institutions located in the County of Fentai of Zezhou.

DATE : Chinese, Qing Dynasty, 18th century.

MARK : underglazed-blue six-character inscriptions to the lower section of each vase.

SIZE : approximately 15 1/2" (39.5 cm) high.

CONDITION : vase 1. in perfect condition apart from two tiny shallow glaze chips to a top rim corner, and some very small and minor firing imperfections only; vase 2. has a small rim hairline, restoration to one top corner, a small shallow chip to one foot, and restoration to a side skirt of the base and a small area on the tip of another foot. No other damages or repairs noted.

SHIPPING : Inclusive.