A pair of opaque yellow glass vases of Meiping form

Late 18th to early 19th century
Height: 7 in (17.8 cm)
Diameter: 4 3/8 in (11 cm)

A pair of opaque yellow glass vases of meiping form, similarly decorated with a red overlay, carved on one side with ribbon-tailed birds perched on a branch of lilies, the other side with magpies and chrysanthemums, the shoulders with a small branch with two plum blossoms.

The decoration of these vases strongly implies that they were made for a wedding. Both lilies and ribbon-tailed birds are associated with longevity, while the magpie and chrysanthemums convey a wish for a happy family. The plum blossom is also an auspicious symbol and together with the ribbon-tailed bird, it represents the wish of long life for a husband and wife. For further reading on these symbols, see Bartholomew (2006), 2.17.5, 2.16.4, 7.48.1 and 7.51.

Provenance: Asiantiques

Published: Asiantiques, Chinese Qing Dynasty Glass Treasures: A Selection from the Gadient Collection (2009), cat. no. 34

(Hard cover catalogue, 64 glass artworks, 64 pp, full color illustrations, English text and Chinese captions. Catalogue available for purchase, $45 including domestic shipping, $55 international. The catalogue can also be viewed online in pdf format. Please contact us or visit our "exhibitions" page for more information.)

Ref. 862122

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