Tall Blue and White Celestial Ball Vase

Beautifully rendered with expressive brushwork, the painted decoration on this monumental globular jar demonstrates the exceptional artistry of Chinese blue-and-white porcelain. Guardian Fu lion dogs float amidst celestial clouds, playfully chasing an embroidered ball. A common motif in Chinese art, the Fu dog with an embroidered ball beneath his paw symbolizes divine power and supremacy over the world. This motif is echoed in the vase shape itself, a traditional form known as tianqiuping or 'celestial ball vase.' Decorated in a brilliant shade of blue against a field of crisp white, this grand gooseneck vase is a beautiful example of Chinese blue-and-white porcelain.