Pair of Large Chinese Famille Rose Porcelain “Nine Peaches” Vases

Details

Description

This pair of Chinese porcelain vessels is a striking example of Famille Rose (Fencai) "Nine Peaches" vases, modeled after a … Read more This pair of Chinese porcelain vessels is a striking example of Famille Rose (Fencai) "Nine Peaches" vases, modeled after a famous imperial design from the Qing Dynasty. The artwork on these vases is entirely rooted in visual puns and blessings for long life and happiness. Further, their shape is known as a Tianqiuping, literally "heavenly globe vase". It’s a type that is characterized by a wide, bulbous spherical body and a tall, straight neck.

SYMBOLISM:
• The Peaches (Tao): Peaches are the ultimate Chinese symbol for longevity and immortality. In mythology, the Queen Mother of the West (Xiwangmu) grows the legendary Peaches of Immortality in her orchard, blooming and ripening only once every few thousand years. Imperial vases like this traditionally depict exactly nine peaches, as nine (jiu) is a homophone for "long-lasting" or "eternity."
• The Bats (Fu): The orange-red bats flying upside-down—one on each vase—around the branches represent good fortune and blessings. The Chinese word for bat (fu) sounds identical to the word for happiness/fortune. Painting them upside-down signifies that "happiness has arrived" (as "upside down" and "to arrive" are homophones) Because the bat is strictly solitary on each piece, the design focuses squarely on the direct visual pun of "Fortune has Arrived" (Fu Dao Le) alongside immense longevity.
• The Ultimate Puns: Together, the combination of a bat and nine peaches combines to wish the vases’ owner "A double abundance of fortune and longevity"—likely quadrupled with two vases.

DESIGN: Unlike Kraak porcelain or Canton ware explicitly painted with Western-facing motifs for global trade, this "Nine Peaches" pattern was originally created for domestic imperial use during the reigns of the Yongzheng and Qianlong Emperors in the 18th century.
However, because it became one of the most celebrated and iconic porcelain patterns in Chinese history, it has been heavily reproduced for both the domestic luxury market and global export over the last 150 years, starting in the late 19th century and continuing through the late 20th century. Looking at the glaze texture, the drawing style of the bats, and the unpolished, bare clay foot rims, this specific pair likely dates to the mid-to-late 20th century as high-quality decorative reproductions.

USE: In traditional Chinese culture, a Tianqiuping vase was primarily meant for scholar's desks, reception halls, or altars as an ornamental centerpiece rather than an everyday flower pot. Because of their heavy, spherical bases, they were perfectly suited to stand steadily on low wooden tables, sideboards, or inside display cabinets to showcase the wealth, education, and refinement of the household. Who doesn’t want that?

Signature/Maker’s Mark: Nonexistent. See less