A Pair of Chinese Porcelain Small Polychrome Baluster Vases, Last Quarter of 19th Century The vases are sweetly painted in polychrome enamels with deer on a mountainside, all under a ochre border of bats around the shoulder, under a repeating ochre border of Chinese geometric symbols encircling the neck. Dimensions: 4 1/4 in high (10.7 cm) The bat is ''emblematic of happiness and longevity.... it is generally painted red -- the colour of joy. ;The design of the Five Bats is a pictorial rebus standing for the Five Blessings, viz., old age, wealth, health, love of virtue, and natural death; this is owing to the similarity in the sound of the characters for ''bat'' and ''happiness'' -- both pronounced ''Fu.'''' Williams, 34. References: Williams, C.A.S. ;Outlines of Chinese Symbolism and Art Motives. ;Rutland, Vermont: Charles E. Tuttle Co., 1974.

Antique Porcelain & Pottery
Antique Vases