“Hu” Vase; China, Qing Dynasty, Jiaqing Period, 1796–1820.

“Hu” Vase; China, Qing Dynasty, Jiaqing Period, 1796–1820.
Sang de boeuf glazed porcelain.
It bears marks on the base.
Measurements: 31 x 18.5 x 15 cm.
Glazed ceramic vase with an architectural profile and symmetrical composition, featuring a globular body, pronounced shoulders, and a tall, square-sectioned neck that opens into a wide mouth. It features two small rectangular side handles, positioned on either side of the neck, which accentuate its monumental character and its archaic-inspired design. This treatment is reminiscent of Chinese flambé or yaobian glazes, characterized by their chromatic transformation effects during firing. These glazes, known in China as langyao or “blood-red” glazes (sang-de-boeuf), reached their peak of development in the imperial kilns of Jingdezhen during the Qing Dynasty.
The piece evokes the Chinese ceramic tradition of the Qing period (1644–1911), particularly the revival of archaic forms inspired by ancient ritual bronze vessels and historical ceramic models. The piece finds interesting parallels in major collections and on the international market. The Cleveland Museum of Art holds a Qing-dynasty Chinese vase with flambé glaze, whose design bears striking similarities to the piece in question, particularly its rectangular-profile neck, its rounded body, and the presence of side handles. Likewise, the University of Michigan Museum of Art holds another Chinese vase, dated around 1900.