A Chinese Famille-Verte 'Landscape and Mythical Beast' Rouleau Vase, Qing Dynasty, Kangxi Period

Lobed panels enclosing mythical beasts and landscapes surround the body of the present vase, with half-panels containing flowers and rockwork above and below, all on a rich, bright green ground with flower blossoms and leafy scrolls. The profuse decoration reflects the various sources of inspiration that Jingdezhen artisans drew upon for their porcelain creations. The floral ground bears strong resemblance to silk designs of the period– see, for example, a 'lotus scroll' velvet panel illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum: Textiles and Embroideries of the Ming and Qing Dynasties, vol. 50, Hong Kong, 2005, pl. 24, or a 'passionflower scroll' satin panel illustrated in ibid., pl. 106. The floral half-panels are reminiscent of the quiet, intimate flower paintings that were popular from the Southern Song period onwards, and the band of upright leaves at the neck ultimately link back to ancient bronze designs. 

Compare a closely related rouleau vase also with shaped panels enclosing beasts, flowers, and landscapes on a similar floral scroll ground and almost identical decoration at the neck, from the collection of Bathsheda de Rothchild, sold at Christie's New York, September 20, 2005, lot 310. Another similar example was sold in these rooms, September 23, 2004, lot 285. See also one with variously shaped panels of birds and beasts, some inscribed, on a fish-roe and floral scroll green ground, published in Catalogue of the Collection of Old Chinese Porcelains formed by Richard Bennett, Esq., London, 1913, cat. no. 339. A related vase is also illustrated in Kangxi Porcelain Wares from the Shanghai Museum Collection, Shanghai, 1998, pl. 130.