Vase Item Number: 3588/7 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Famille rose porcelain vase with a flared lip, cylindrical neck, oval-shaped body, and flat base with a raised foot; carvings of a creature, holding a red ball, on either side of neck function as handles. Opening and bottom edge of vase are trimmed with decorative bands; borders are filled with intersecting lines, floral motifs, and four irregularly-shaped ovals spaced throughout. Ovals are filled with different designs; opening border ovals filled with additional floral motifs, bottom border ovals depict structures and surrounding landscapes. Rest of vase surface is decorated with a various scenes; including people at court, boating, and walking through gardens. Sticker attached to vase base.
This work belongs to the group of Chinese porcelains known as "famille rose", and known in China as fencai (粉彩) or ruancai (軟彩 / 软彩), literally meaning “soft colours” or “pale colours,” and later called yangcai (洋彩) or “foreign colours.” This type of ware was first introduced in the late Kangxi period (1662–1722), possibly around 1720, and were originally painted mostly in rose/pink colours. Many of these colourfully enameled wares were made for export, and their production continued into the twentieth century.
The pair of vases (3588/7-8) were purchased by the donors in Vancouver in 1984. Said to be over 100 years old at that time.