The vase is in the style of an ancient wine vessel more popularly known as a ‘ku’. It is beautifully decorated with famille rose enamels on a pure white porcelain body. Within the foot-rim is found the mark ‘Juren Tang zhi’ in iron-red enamel.

Yuan Shikai became the first president of the Republic of China in 1912 and he moved into one of the palaces in the Forbidden City and named it Juren Tang (Hall of Dwelling in Benevolence). In 1915 he declared himself emperor and commissioned porcelains with his own title ( Hongxian ) and for use in the Juren Tang in the manner of the Imperial emperors of the past. It is not known whether this example was made by order for Hongxian as both marks have been copied and are still subjects of some debate.

7.7/8 inches (20 cm) high. Just on the mouth rim, on the underside there is a sliver of glaze flaked out and stuck back, close by is a small chip. Please study the photographs.