Near Pair of Chinese Blue and White Bottle Vases, Kangxi (1662-1722)

Ref: W801

Near pair of Chinese blue and white bottle vases, Kangxi (1662-1722), of bulbous form with tall columnar necks, the bodies and necks decorated in bright underglaze cobalt blue with a continuous design of foliage and stylised flower heads; the shoulders with wide bands containing floral scroll in reserve against a blue ground, the rims with narrow bands of half-prunus blossom against a wave-pattern ground, the footrims with double circle and the bases each marked ‘G’ in underglaze blue

Dimensions:

Height: 19.5cm. (7 3/4in.) and 20cm. (7 7/8in.)

Notes:

The unusual ‘G’ mark can be found on other pieces, both blue and white and famille verte, exported to Europe during this period. Such examples include a pair of famille verte bottle vases in the collection of the Rijksmuseum and illustrated in the work detailed above (p.260, no.299); a pot in the collection of the Groninger Museum (Mello Backer Bequest 1899), and a famille verte hexagonal teacup at the British Museum, from the collection of Sir Augustus Wollaston Franks (Franks.894). Professor Jörg supports the theory of this ‘G’ mark corresponding with a particular person, probably a Dutch merchant in the 17th century, citing the similar use of a single initial to a group of blue and white Japanese apothecary bottles (p.259).