Small glass baluster vase

A small baluster vase decorated in enamel with a Western-style scene of a shepherdess and her child amidst a landscape in a medallion, the background adorned with flowers. A four-character Qianlong mark painted in blue under the base. An adapted ivory base.

This type of refined production, featuring European subjects painted in pale-toned enamels on glass, metal or porcelain supports, developed under the Qing and reached its apogee during the reign of Emperor Qianlong (1736-1795). Particularly appreciated by the elite, these works are unique testimonies to Western artistic influences, through the choice of subjects and the use of perspective, in Chinese imperial production. Rural scenes similar to the one on our vase can be seen on several pieces, such as a porcelain gourd in the collections of London’s Victoria and Albert Museum (inventory no. C.219-1931). Today’s surviving pieces featuring this type of decoration are mainly snuffboxes, their shape being conducive to medallion painting (see a snuffbox presented at Bonhams, sale of 11/28/2011 in Hong Kong, lot 38, as well as one presented at Christie’s, sale of 04/25/2014 in Hong Kong, lot 816).

Height (without base): 11.9 cm
Height (with base): 14 cm

Provenance: Private collection, Germany.

Chip and slight damage to the neck, one of the feet of the base restored.