A large blue and white 'deer' vase, Qing dynasty, 18th century | 清十八世紀 青花松鹿長春圖大瓶

Collection of Dr. Ma Luk (1883-1963), and thence by descent.

馬祿醫生 (1883-1963) 收藏，此後家族傳承

This finely painted vase is replete with symbols of longevity, including the deer, lingzhi, and pine trees. The artisan has masterfully modulated the cobalt tones to create depth and variation in this continuous scene. Pale, broad washes suggest mist and the horizon, and finer lines meticulously detail the texture of pine needles while deep inky strokes lend weight and texture to the tree trunks and rocks.  

Compare a vase painted in a very similar style, albeit smaller and of lantern form, sold in our London rooms, 12th December 1972, lot 84. Another, of related form and motif but also smaller, was sold in these rooms, 20th March 1976, lot 196. See also two lantern vases painted with a bolder hand, one with cranes and deer and the other with mythical animals, illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum: Blue and White Porcelain with Underglazed Red (III), vol. 38, Hong Kong, 2000, pls 134 and 135. 

For a related vase of comparable size and shape to the present, see one sold at Christie's London, 15th May 2007, lot 281, which also has underglaze-red decoration and archaistic dragon handles, as well as monkeys and magpies depicted alongside the deer.