Description:

East Asia, China, Ming Dynasty, ca. 1368 to 1644 CE. A radiant display of imperial elegance, this Ming Dynasty porcelain vase takes the form of a classic yuhuchunping, or pear-shaped bottle vase, prized for its graceful swelling body and flared neck. It is richly enameled in a lively palette of iron-red and copper-green over a creamy white glaze, a technique known as wucai ("five colors") that became especially refined during the Ming period. The main body is animated by a pair of phoenixes - mythic birds associated with virtue, feminine power, and imperial favor - depicted mid-flight with flamboyant crests, curling tail feathers, and dotted breast plumage. They soar among stylized peony blossoms and leafy scrolls, symbols of spring, beauty, and prosperity. The decoration is framed by intricate borders: a ruyi-lappet band encircles the base, a lozenge-diaper frieze spans the shoulder, and a stylized plantain-leaf collar crowns the tall neck. Size: 7" Diameter x 14" H (17.8 cm x 35.6 cm)

Two molded dragon handles flank the shoulder, their sinuous red-glazed bodies curling elegantly, further reinforcing the vase's auspicious imagery. The dragon-phoenix pairing alludes to cosmic harmony and marital union in Chinese symbolism, making such vessels popular both in courtly and ceremonial contexts.

This form of vase, originally developed in the Tang and Song periods, reached new heights of technical brilliance in the Ming, especially when decorated with overglaze enamels as seen here. This piece exemplifies the union of form, function, and iconography that defined imperial porcelain during China's golden ceramic age.

Provenance: ex-T.F. Holy Lands collection, formed since the 1960s

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#196023

  • Condition: Some minor nicks and abrasions as shown, but, otherwise, intact and excellent with impressive remains of pigment and detail. Light earthen deposits in areas.

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August 7, 2025 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

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$300 $999 $50
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$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
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