Lot 23
East Asia, China, Qing Dynasty, ca. 19th century CE. A gorgeous pottery censer suite comprising of a pair of gu-form vases, 2 candlesticks, and a 4-legged censer crowned by a fu lion lid. Enveloped in rich green glaze, the exterior of each is embellished by relief decoration of lotus flower, leaf, and scrolling motifs. The intricate designs and unique silhouettes of this censer suite make it a stunning centerpiece for any home or collection. Crafted with meticulous detail, this decorative piece showcases the rich heritage of Chinese ceramics. Size: 5" L x 7.3" W x 15.3" H (12.7 cm x 18.5 cm x 38.9 cm)
This exquisite set of five pottery pieces, often referred to as a "garniture set," consists of lidded jars and vases traditionally displayed in a carefully arranged sequence. Garniture sets, typically composed of three, five, or seven pieces, were highly prized for their aesthetic harmony and symbolic significance. This particular set, crafted from apple-green glazed pottery, originates from Shiwan, a renowned ceramic center near Guangzhou. Shiwans rich, malleable clay has long made it an ideal medium for sculptural works, and the region has produced many master potters over centuries. Representative of Chinas southern folk kilns, Shiwan pottery encompasses a diverse range of forms, including figurines, animals, miniatures, and functional objects such as vases, censers, brush washers, and teapots. Its subject matter reflects Confucian, Taoist, and Buddhist influences, as well as historical and everyday themes.
The five-piece set comprises an altar ensemble, traditionally used for ancestral offerings within a Chinese household. Placed upon a family altar in the central room of a dwelling, these ritual vessels played a vital role in daily, semimonthly, and seasonal ceremonies. A typical altar set consists of two vases and two candlesticks symmetrically arranged around a censer, which held joss sticks. These core elements were accompanied by other sacred objects, such as incense packages, firecrackers, divination sticks, wine cups, deity statues, ancestral portraits, and symbolic offerings like waxed fruiteach contributing to the spiritual atmosphere of the altar.
At the heart of this set is the censer, a powerful symbol of happiness and longevity. Atop its lid sits a Fu lion, a guardian figure embodying superhuman strength, valor, and divine protection. The censers legs, shaped like Fu lion paws, rest upon stylized batstraditional symbols of fu, meaning happiness and good fortune, signifying the bestowal of divine blessings. The vases are adorned with delicate vegetal sprays, their motifs echoing prosperity and renewal, while the candlesticks feature complementary botanical designs, enhancing the sets overall harmony and auspicious significance.
Provenance: private Los Angeles, California, USA collection, acquired from 1990 to 2005
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#192451
- Condition: Possible repairs to top of candlesticks. One candlestick has been professionally repaired with break line visible; others are intact. Some nicks, small chips, and abrasions as shown, but otherwise, all are in very good condition with nice remaining glaze and encrustations to interiors and on tail of fu lion.
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