A famille-verte 'birthday celebration' rouleau vase, Qing dynasty, Kangxi period | 清康熙 五彩郭子儀祝壽圖棒槌瓶

French Private Collection.

Sotheby's Paris, 12th December 2013, lot 21.

來源：

法國私人收藏

巴黎蘇富比2013年12月12日，編號21

General Guo Ziyu (697-781), also known as Prince Zhongwu of Fengyang, was the most distinguished general of the Tang dynasty. He was celebrated for quelling the An Lushan Rebellion (755-763) and for his contributions to expeditions against the Uighurs and Tibetans. His remarkable military victories earned him fame and wealth, and he is often depicted in banquets amidst myriad troops, tribute bearers, and descendants. Here, he is shown enjoying a birthday celebration. He was known to have a big family of seven sons and eight son-in-laws who all occupied important political positions at court but still gathered together to celebrate Guo's birthday. The subject matter and iconography indicate that the vase was designed as a birthday gift, wishing the recipient success, longevity, and a large family.

A blue and white vase, painted with the same subject matter is in the Palace Museum, Beijing, illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum, Blue and White Porcelain with Underglaze Red (III), Hong Kong, 1999, pl. 14. Similar examples of famille-verte vases, with dignitaries greeting guests include a rouleau vase in the Palace Museum, Beijing illustrated in ibid., Porcelains in Polychrome and Contrasting Colors, Hong Kong, 1999, pl. 69., and one sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 2nd May 2005, lot 607.