This vase is an early 20th century version of a pattern that originated in the 18th century Qing Dynasty. Spotted deer, in Chinese culture, had spiritual significance, and were considered symbols of well being, leading the pattern to also be known as the “Hundred Blessings” pattern. There are similar vases in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and major Chinese museum collections, in the exact designs seen here, with variations only in the coloring of various individual deer in the landscape. Vibrant greens in the trees and mountains dominate the complex scenery, punctuated by vivid burnt orange and copper colored deer which frisk about the landscape with several white ones as well. The gorgeously nuanced coloring and very fine details make this a truly distinctive and fascinating piece. The vase form is also distinctive: a stocky archaic urn, accurately modeled on the oldest iterations of the Hundred Deer pattern. Handles here are fully dimensional antlered deer heads. Good condition, light wear, signs of use inside, scattered glaze irregularities as made, more to one side than the other, one antler with a tidy repair to a portion. Underglaze Qianlong blue painted seal mark to the bottom, frequently found on Republic Period porcelains of the Early 20th century.

H: 18 ½ Diameter: 13