A 19th Century famille Rose Bottle Vase

A late 19th century famille rose porcelain bottle vase, decorated with a flowering prunus tree and birds upon a white ground.

Even amid the snow, the prunus flower blooms, exuding a subtle and graceful fragrance. In Confucianism, defying nature in this manner converts to the flower symbolising values of virtue and principles. Further to this, the blossom stands for purity, beauty, hope and transitoriness. One of the “Three Friends of Winter” it also finds significance in literature and poetry (e.g. Lin Bu, Song Dynasty). Cultivated for over 3000 years, the plum tree as a whole, symbolises longevity, endurance and virtue.

Qing Dynasty, Guangxu Period (1875-1908)