Porcelain vase with doucai enamel ‘Lotuses and Dragons’, Qing dynasty

An elegant porcelain vase decorated with fine ‘Doucai’ enamels in underglaze blue, completed with coloured overglaze enamels and golden pigments. It has a short flared foot on which is placed an oval body surmounted by an elongated neck, flanked by two thin handles in the form of sinuous dragons, and ending in a wide flaring mouth.  The decoration extends around the vase, on a white background, with lotuses in full bloom, linked by twisted branches and leaves intertwined with other flowers and auspicious elements. Various borders of banana leaves and small ruyi divide the floral decoration into sections. 

At the base is a six-character seal in reserve ‘大清乾隆年制’. Restorations are noted. Qing dynasty (1644-1912) or later. 

Height: 59 cm; Diameter: 29 cm