A pair of Chinese underglaze-blue, copper-red and celadon-gl...

Hammer

€30,000

A pair of Chinese underglaze-blue, copper-red and celadon-glazed 'Dragon and Tiger' vases and covers, artemisia leaf mark, Kangxi

H.: 34,2 cm | incl. cover

Provenance:
- Marc Michot, Bruges.
- The Mr. and Mrs. Baert-Devos Collection, Belgium. Acquired from the above in 2009, according to the owner's inventory notes.

A fine pair of baluster vases and covers, decorated in vibrant tones of underglaze cobalt blue, iron-red, and celadon glazes. Each vase is painted with a mountainous landscape, in which a fierce dragon emerges from swirling clouds to confront a tiger. Further within the landscape stands a majestic pine tree, accompanied by plants, lingzhi, and stylised rock formations. The vases are raised on a short foot rim, and the base bears an artemisia leaf mark within a double circle.
The covers are decorated with delicate flowering branches and are surmounted by blue-painted finials.
The confrontation between the dragon and tiger is a powerful auspicious motif in Chinese art, symbolising the balance of opposing forces, with the dragon representing strength, authority, and cosmic power, while the tiger embodies courage, protection, and earthly vitality. Together they express harmony between complementary forces and the triumph of power and virtue.

Condition reports and additional high-resolution zoomable images are available on our website www.rm-auctions.com, or by request via info@rm-auctions.com. The Autumn sale continues on Saturday 5 September, full catalogue available on our website soon.