CARP ON BLUE VASE
This piece is a hand-potted and hand-painted reproduction. The big carps rendered in soft colors were chosen as the theme of embellishment in this series of export porcelain in the mid to late Qing Dynasty (18th-20th century). The carps were drawn in a style which prevailed in the period of Kangxi, Yongzhen and Qianlong. The fish, big and small, are swimming gracefully and vividly amid the aquatic plants in varied styles and postures. Both the fish and the aquatic plants are such positioned in the water that they appear in 3-dimensional perspective. Some carps were outlined in black and gilded, while others were painted in coral red and gilded. They are set against a background of 'embroidered blue'. The whole presentation is gorgeous and brilliant. In Chinese, the word "carp" is phonetically the same as the word "profits'. Therefore, there is a good omen when "carp" is used as the theme of this design.
Nowadays, antique porcelain wares are becoming scarce. Therefore, soft-colored porcelain wares made in Qing Dynasty are sold at surprisingly high prices in world-wide auctions. For example, in November 1989, a famille rose vase (16 ½" tall) with mark and period of Yongzhen was auctioned at the Sotheby's, Hong Kong, and was sold for US $1,560,00.00 (auction Lot No. 302).
GENERAL INFORMATION:
Pottery was invented by the Chinese as early as 5000 BC. However, porcelain was not successfully made until the 10th century. It was even later in the 17th century that soft colored porcelain wares first appeared. The pigment for soft colors was obtained from the oxides of various metals with low melting points. It is an over-glaze. Soft-colored porcelain wares come in many designs, including the Indian lotus, human characters, flowers, fruit, dragons, phoenixes, birds, animals, aquatic plants and other patterns. The various emperors of Qing Dynasty (1662-1911 AD) loved the soft colored porcelain wares. Official kilns wee set up to produce these items for use in the Royal Palace, and as gifts awarded to the relatives of the royal family and the accredited government officials. Soft colored porcelain wares were also very popular in Europe. From 17th century, European merchants and the Dutch East India Company ordered from China soft colored porcelain wares which were made to conform with the Western culture and styles. These porcelain wares were sold in Europe and America for high prices.
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