Decorative

MONUMENTAL 19TH CENTURY CANTONESE 'ROSE MANDARIN' BALUSTER ...

A rare and well-preserved example of 19TH CENTURY from 19th Century, noted for its craftsmanship, material quality, and historical relevance.

Monumental 19th Century Cantonese "Rose Mandarin" Baluster Vase and Cover Qing Dynasty, Mid-to-Late 19th Century\n\nStanding at an impressive 70cm in height, this monumental porcelain vase is of elegant "shoulder" form, tapering gracefully to a recessed base. The vase is surmounted by its original high-domed cover, which features a finely sculpted and Gilded Buddhist Lion (Foo Dog) finial. The body is vibrantly decorated in the classic Famille Rose palette, featuring large, shaped "narrative reserves". These panels depict detailed "Mandarin" court scenes, including scholars, elegantly attired ladies, and attendants within architectural and garden settings. The figure painting is of superior quality, characterized by "iron-wire" thin calligraphic lines and expressive facial features.\n\nAccompanied by original photograph showing the vase in the residence of Sir David Seton & Lady Wills.\n\nCondition\nPresented in excellent antique condition. There are no visible signs... of cracks, chips, or professional restoration to the body or the cover. There is a slight, honest wear to the gilding on the rim, which serves as a testament to its 19th-century origin and century-long stewardship.\n\nSpecialist's Note:\n"This 70cm masterpiece represents the height of 19th-century Cantonese export porcelain. Its monumental scale suggests it was originally commissioned for a grand interior, a fact mirrored by its long-standing presence in the collection of Sir Ernest Salter Wills at Littlecote House. The ''Rose Mandarin'' scenes are executed with a level of refinement rarely seen on pieces of this size. To find a vase of this magnitude with its original cover intact and an unbroken chain of ''Country House'' provenance is an exceptional opportunity for the discerning collector."

— Details

Reference

SA1200575

Origin

19th Century

Period

19TH CENTURY

Dimensions

H 70cm

Rarity

Exceptional opportunity for the discerning collector.

Provenance

The G. S. May Esquire Private Collection, London\nThe Collection of the late Sir David Seton & Lady Wills, Tower House.\nFormerly the collection of Sir Ernest Salter Wills, 3rd Baronet (1869--1958), Littlecote House, Berkshire.

Condition

Excellent — see description