Vase with Enamel Decoration of Pine, Bamboo and Plum

This vase with a straight mouth, drooping shoulders, round body that gradually contracts and a foot ring is covered with white glaze. A picture of pine, bamboo and plum, known as “three friends of winter,” is painted over the white glaze. The hardy pine, straight bamboo and elegant plum flowers, relieved by green leaves, are painted in graceful and detailed brush strokes. The vase is an excellent object made by the government kiln during the Yongzheng period. The seven black characters above the picture mean “Spring stays permanently in the imperial garden.” There are also the impressions of three seals drawn in rich crimson. At the bottom inside the foot ring are six blue characters in the regular script, meaning “Made in the Yongzheng period of the Great Qing.” Since the vase is shaped like an olive, it is also known as the “olive vase.” The elegant shape of the vase, its fine craftsmanship, thin and semi-transparent body, crystal-clear and flawless glaze and superbly executed decoration make it an outstanding work of the Yongzheng period of the Qing dynasty. The body of this vase was prepared by the imperial kiln in Jingdezhen, Jiangxi Province, and shipped to the palace, where the palace’s Department of Works had the picture approved by Emperor Yongzheng painted on it in enamel and then fired in a low-temperature kiln. The vase represents not only superb porcelain-making techniques, but also excellent painting skills.