Hu ‘Deer and Dragon’ vase, Qing dynasty

A beautiful blue-and-white glazed porcelain vase. It has a narrow circular foot, on which is placed a wide oval body, tapering to shoulder height, flanked by two handles in relief of stag heads crowned with fine antlers, ending in a short neck. It is decorated with a large central scene of scrolling branches covered with small leaves and large lotuses and chrysanthemums in blossom, accompanied by sinuous dragons with curled tails, raised legs and a fierce gaze. The composition is framed by three borders, two with vegetal motifs arranged at the base, and the third, with spiralling scrolls, encircles the neck. It has a six-character stamp on the base ‘大清乾隆年製’. 

Height: 37.5 cm; Mouth diameter: 15.3 cm; Base diameter: 17.5 cm

Provenance: 

· Spanish private collection.