Pair of Red Lacquer Square Fantail Vases

Defined by angular shoulders and a flared lip, this pair of tall lacquered vases recreates the classic Chinese phoenix-tail vase form. Comprised of red lacquer atop a substrate of wood and fabric, the vases are patterned with lush florals and beautifully scripted poetry. The intricate, all-over designs are achieved by painting onto the lacquer in a variety of colors and then carefully incising the outlines by hand. On the front of each vase is an arrangement of colorful peonies, emblems of springtime and symbols of love and beauty. The neck and shoulders are decorated with floral scrollwork dotted with lotus flowers, eternal knots, and Shou characters for longevity. As a finishing touch, bands of geometric scrollwork line the bottom of each vase. On the underside of each is the maker’s mark of an imperial studio of the Daoguang period (1820-1850).

Minor chips to lacquer finish.