19th Century Blue & White Porcelain Baluster Vase

A mid-19th century porcelain baluster vase, the body decorated with white prunus blossoms upon a blue ground and having two large cartouches depicting antiques and flowers.

With Kangxi character marks to the underside.

Qing Dynasty, Xianfeng Period (1851-1861)

Condition: Good, with some internal rim frits

The ground to this vase is made up of stylised prunus blossoms. As a ‘friend of winter’, the prunus blossom is an important symbol of strength in Chinese culture and represents the value of endurance, reminding people that Spring will come. Celebrated here it is the vitality of life: endurance through hardship; and hope that life will regenerate. As the Chinese saying goes, the fragrance of prunus blossoms “comes from the bitterness and coldness.’