AUCTION HOUSE HIGHLIGHTS

Chinese Vases

David Elstob discusses a selection of Chinese vases that have recently come up for sale at the Ripon-based auctioneers

A TWO-HANDLED BALUSTER FORM CHINESE FAMILLE VERTE VASE, 28CM HIGH AUCTION ESTIMATE £200 TO £300 “‘Famille verte’ is a style of Chinese porcelain that first appeared in the Kangxi period and is characterised by its use of vivid translucent green overglazes. “This particular piece, made for export in the late 19th century, is notable for its interesting shape that includes a pair of elegant handles. Because it is slightly unusual it is the kind of thing that often attracts Chinese buyers. “It is painted with flowers, scrolling foliage and a qilin, a mythological cloven-hoofed beast similar to a unicorn, often depicted in bright colours in Chinese art.”

A SMALL OVOID BLUE AND WHITE CHINESE VASE PAINTED WITH FLOWER HEADS AND LEAVES, 9.5CM HIGH AUCTION ESTIMATE £200 TO £400 “The market for Chinese porcelain may not be quite as buoyant as it was a few years ago, but buyers are still paying handsome prices for good pieces – although Chinese buyers are getting a little more selective when it comes to condition. “This pretty little vase is in very nice condition and was probably made in the late 19th or early 20th century. It is hand painted in underglaze blue, and the pattern – flowers and leaves set in lozengeshaped panels – is quite an unusual one. Underneath it carries six character marks within concentric circles.”

A LARGE BALUSTER FORM CHINESE FAMILLE ROSE VASE, 34CM HIGH AUCTION ESTIMATE £100 TO £150 “The term ‘famille rose’ refers to a particular kind of Chinese porcelain ware decorated using opaque pink overglaze. It became especially popular during the 19th century. “This particular vase was made for export in the late 19th or early 20th century. Many famille rose pieces are very densely patterned, but this example is more restrained than most. “It has a certain amount of damage, including a repair to the rim, but is nonetheless a good decorative piece – and shows that you don’t need to spend thousands to acquire an impressive piece of Chinese porcelain.”

A CHINESE CELADON VASE WITH THREE PIERCED HOLES, 8CM HIGH AUCTION ESTIMATE £60 TO £80 “Celadon is a special kind of translucent monochrome glaze that often produces an attractive ‘crackle’ effect when fired, as in this example. “The vase itself is quite unusual in that it has an enclosed top pierced with three holes for the insertion of flower stems. It bears a number of gilt character marks on its base. “With its interesting shape and restrained elegance this is the kind of item that would potentially appeal to both Chinese buyers and Western buyers who prefer an understated décor.”

A PAIR OF CHINESE CLOISONNÉ BOTTLE VASES WITH CARVED WOODEN BASES, 13CM HIGH AUCTION ESTIMATE £40 TO £60 “Cloisonné is a highly skilful technique in which coloured enamels are used to fill in areas enclosed by fine wire. This pair of vases is decorated with boughs of prunus and magnolia on a powder-blue and gilt ground. The necks are embellished with ruyi borders, that’s to say stylised sceptres in the form of lotuses. “This lot isn’t especially old, and most likely dates from the 1950s or 1960s. Enamelling is notoriously easy to damage, but these two examples are in good condition. It’s an added advantage that they come with hardwood stands. “Items of this kind are less appealing to the Chinese market, but they are excellent decorative pieces that provide a lot of visual impact for the money.”

A SMALL CHINESE DOUCAI VASE, 7.5CM HIGH AUCTION ESTIMATE £400 TO £600 “Doucai is a porcelain decorating technique dating back to the 15th century, in which parts of the design are painted in underglaze blue prior to the piece being glazed and fired. Further design elements are then painted on in overglaze enamels, and the item is fired once again. “On this early 20th century vase the quality of the painting is very good, and the depictions of the prunus tree, bamboo and rocks have a lovely softness and subtlety.”