19th Century Qing Dynasty Porcelain Vases, China, Set of 2

Pair of Porcelain Vases, Rose Family, Qing Dynasty, 19th Century – Canton, China

Material: Porcelain
Style: Rose Family
Period: Qing Dynasty, 19th Century
Country of Origin: Canton, China
Good condition considering its age and use
Dimensions: 61 x 25 x 25 cm

An impressive pair of Chinese porcelain vases from Canton Province, in the Rose Family, or fencai, style, dating from the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912), 19th century.

This pair of vases is a prime example of the Cantonese style, as they are richly decorated across their entire surface with decorative elements of varying sizes. Around the base is a decorative border following a geometric pattern, while the remaining decorations are divided into panels depicting different genre scenes, featuring figures in traditional dress. Alternating between these panels are depicted flowers and animals such as birds and butterflies, delicately rendered in vibrant colors against an off-white background that highlights the colors, especially the pink, which gives this style its name.

The Rose Family is a style of Chinese porcelain that emerged at the end of the Qing Dynasty, specifically during the reign of the Kangxi Emperor, around 1720, and reached its peak under the Yongzheng and Qianlong Emperors. Although in China it is known as fencai (powder colors), due to the smooth, matte appearance of the pieces, it arrived in Europe as the "Rose Family" in the 19th century through the French collector Albert Jacquemart. Rose Family porcelain added pink glazes to the existing palette of greens, yellows, reds, and blues.

At the end of the Kangxi Emperor's reign, Jesuit missionaries introduced new European enameling techniques to the imperial court. The key breakthrough was Cassius purple, a pigment derived from colloidal gold, invented in Europe in the 17th century. Artisans at the imperial kilns of Jingdezhen adapted this color to create the characteristic pink glaze.

During the Yongzheng period (1723–1735), elegance and white space were prioritized. Pieces from this time, such as "eggshell" porcelain, are famous for their extreme fineness and subtle floral and bird decorations. In contrast, during the Qianlong period (1736–1795), decoration became more exuberant and complex, popularizing the "hundred-flower" design, where glazes cover the entire surface of the piece.

The most distinctive feature of this style is the use of a pink derived from colloidal gold (Cassius purple), which offers shades ranging from soft crimson to pale pink. Thanks to the Jesuits, an opaque white glaze based on arsenic was introduced, allowing for the mixing of colors for the first time in Chinese ceramics. Unlike previous styles, which were translucent, this one allowed for tonal gradations and chiaroscuro effects similar to European oil painting.

It developed a realistic style thanks to the ability to mix colors, which allowed for the depiction of flowers, especially peonies, birds, and insects with detailed botanical realism, as well as scenes of courtly life and human figures with meticulously shaded faces and clothing. Due to the density of the enamels on the glaze, the motifs often have a slight relief perceptible to the touch.

This style was highly valued both in the imperial court and in the European export market during the 19th century. For this reason, millions of pieces were manufactured during the 18th century exclusively for export through the East India Company. Currently, these porcelain pieces are highly prized for their beauty and fine decoration.