A Fine and Rare Chinese Imperial Lapis Lazuli Vase

A Fine and Rare Chinese Imperial Lapis Lazuli Vase, Qing dynasty, Qianlong period, 1736-95, with a later Gilt Bronze Stand,19.2cm (23.5cm including the stand). The body diamond-shaped, crisply carved with a wide band of taotie around the middle. From one corner luscious boldly sculptured Rhodea japonica leaves rise covering two sides of the vase. The ormolu stand well cast as a leafy pomegranate branch growing from rocks and issuing a single ripe fruit. Exhibited The International Exhibition of Chinese Art, The Royal Academy of Arts, London, 1935/6 catalogue no. 2906. Provenance Prince Henry, the 1st Duke of Gloucester. The collection of Miss H. E. Ionides, London. The Hon. Mrs Mary Anna Marten OBE, Crichel House, Dorset. Purchased prior to 1953. Illustrated Chinese Art The Minor Arts II, Soame Jenyns, p.238, no.162 where it is described as of 'superlative colour and important size', and also Chinese Jade Throughout The Ages, The Arts Council of Great Britain and The Oriental Ceramics Society, July 1975, catalogue number 495. Catalogue Note In China, lapis lazuli is known as qing jin shi (blue-gold stone). Although lapis beads have been excavated which date to the Han dynasty, there are no records of the use of lapis before the Qing dynasty. Cf. Ming Wilson, The Colour of Stones, Transactions of the Oriental Ceramics Society 1997-98, vol.62. p.34. Soame Jenyns notes that the stone was imported from Tibet, and that the Emperor officiating at the Temple of Heaven wore a rosary of lapis lazuli beads. In Terese Tse Bartholomew's book Hidden Meanings in Chinese Art she writes: "The Chinese name for this sturdy evergreen is 'ten thousand year green' (wannianqing). It is thus a pun for 'ten thousand years' or 'ten thousand'. Another name for this plant is 'auspicious grass' (jixiang cao). The bright green leaves symbolize continued growth and happiness, while the clusters of berries - which are red, an auspicious colour - stand for numerous descendants. All these qualities make Rhodea japonica an auspicious plant for the household, especially during the Chinese New Year. It is still a favourite houseplant, and a welcome gift for house-warmings, birthdays, weddings and new business ventures." Ionides Family The Ionides were a Greek merchant family who lived in London. They were generous patrons of artists. The father Alexander Constantine Ionides (1810-1890) and his children Constantine (1833-1900), Aglaia Coronio (1834-1906), Lucas ('Luke') Ionides (1837-1924) and Alexander (1840-1898) were all art collectors.