A Large Pair of 19th Century Qing Dynasty Canton Porcelain Vases

A large pair of famille rose Canton vases, of baluster form with trumpet shaped rims, the bodies decorated with panels depicting courtiers upon foliate grounds.

Canton porcelain is a term given to Chinese ceramics produced for export to Europe from the 18th to the 20th centuries. Canton porcelain was made at Jingdezhen where it was glazed and fired. It was then decorated in enamels at Canton (Guangzhou) in southern China prior to being exported by sea.

This pair of vases is a good example of Canton Famille Rose porcelain from the mid 19th century. Such pieces were typically decorated with alternating panels of figures and birds, set upon grounds of flowers and insects. In the mid-19th century, the colours pink and green with gilded highlights were especially popular.

(One neck restored)