AN EXTREMELY LARGE AND IMPRESSIVE 'FAMILLE-VERTE' ROULEAU VASE QING DYNASTY, KANGXI PERIOD

of large slender form, painted in an unusual dark palette with warriors in a continuous mountainous landscape scene, the shouldered neck with a diaper band containing vignettes of precious objects, another continuous figure scene to the neck set within a rocky landscape, the rim with a scrollwork band in iron-red 

Sotheby's London, 27th February 1973, lot 80 (one of a pair).

Some minor flaking to purple enamel, mainly confined to the rockwork of the main body (evident in catalogue photograph). Some staining/crazing to green enamel of the landscape, (also evident in right hand catalogue photograph). Again some minor loss to purple enamel around the neck section, largest area 1cm., flake to rockwork, and a chinese chess box to the border. The rim with three areas of fritting to the lower rim, each approximately 1cm, 3cm., 2cm., with a little staining. Two tiny frits to upper rim itself, largest 5mm. Otherwise a good example of a rare and large type.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

This vase is most impressive for its magnificent large size, meticulous painting and for its excellent condition. Large Kangxi vases of this rouleau form are rare and only a small number of examples are published; for example see comparable large vases illustrated in Walter Bondy, K'ang-hsi, Munchen, 1923, pp. 136 and 140; and in R. L. Hobson, The Leonard Gow Collection of Chinese Porcelain, n.p., n.d., pls. XXV and XLVIIIa.

Compare also a pair of smaller vases (46.3 cm) painted with the same scene, in the Indianapolis Museum of Art, illustrated in Beauty and Tranquility: The Eli Lilly Collection of Chinese Art, Indianapolis, 1983, fig. 14; and another vase (42.9 cm), from the Edward Chow collection, sold at Christie's New York, 20th March 1997, lot 135.

The scene depicted on this vase is from the Yuan novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms (Sanguo yanyi) by Lou Guanzhong. Acclaimed as one of the four great classic novels of Chinese literature, Romance of the Three Kingdoms tells the story of the events of the turbulent years of the Han dynasty (206 B.C.-220 A.D.) and the Three Kingdoms period (220-280 A.D.). This scene shows Liu Bei, a member of the Han Imperial house, in alliance with Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, leading his army to fight against Cao Cao, ruler of the Wei Kingdom, to gain control of north China.  

Smaller Kangxi rouleau vases depicting  scenes from the same novel can be found in important museums; for example see one in the Shanghai Museum illustrated in Kangxi Porcelain Wares from the Shanghai Museum Collection, Hong Kong, 1998, pl. 126; and another, in the Taft Museum, Cincinatti, Ohio, included in David T. Johnson, 'Narrative Themes on Kangxi Porcelains in the Taft Museum', Orientations, August 1993, p. 34, fig. 4.