Lot 136. A Blue And White Pear-Shaped Vase, Qing Dynasty, Qianlong Period (1736-1795); 34.2cm., 13 1/2 in. Estimate 6,000 — 8,000 GBP. Lot sold 7,500 GBP. Photo courtesy Sotheby's 2008

painted with bamboo and plantain amongst rockwork in a fenced garden, below bands of scrolling foliage, classic scroll and ascending leaves below the turned over rim. 

Note: The design on the present piece became popular in the Qianlong period and versions with varying bands of decoration encircling the neck and foot were produced; see a related vase of slightly smaller size, but with one band of foliage scrolls beneath the stiff leaves on the neck and a band of lappets above the foot painted with flower heads, sold in these rooms, 11^th July 1978, lot 219; another sold at Christie's London, 23^rd July 1973, lot 133; and a third sold at Christie's London, 10^th December 1979, lot 247. Compare also a slightly larger vase of this type, but with a more elaborately rendered fenced terrace and lingzhi-filled lappets and the neck decorated with a classic scroll beneath long stiff leaves, sold at Christie's New York, 30^th March 2005, lot 371. For a related example inscribed with the Qianlong reign mark and of the period, see the pieces from the imperial collection, included in Porcelain of the National Palace Museum. Blue and White Wares of the Ch'ing Dynasty, book 2, Hong Kong, 1968, pl. 12; and one in situ in the Hall of Fragrance (Xundian) in the Forbidden City, illustrated in Hu Chui, The Forbidden City. Collection of Photographs by Hu Chui, Beijing, 1998, pl. 63.

The motif of bamboo, plantain and rocks has been much favoured by Chinese literati on account of its auspicious connotations. Traditionally, bamboo symbolises longevity, as it remains green in winter, and endurance and loyalty as it does not break in the wind. The banana or plantain tree, much admired by the Chinese for its fruit and large ornamental leaves, is a symbol of education. Classical legends tell the tale of a scholar who wrote on plantain leaves since he was too poor to afford any paper. Rocks represent durability and steadfastness, and are symbols of reliability and friendship. The design originates from porcelain of the Hongwu period, and vases of closely related form and design are known from the Yongle reign, such as the vase in the Palace Museum, Beijing, illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum. Blue and White Porcelain with Underglazed Red (I), Hong Kong, 2000, pl. 33.

Sotheby's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art. 05 Nov 08. London