Pair of vases; China, Qing Dynasty, 19th century.

Pair of vases; China, Qing Dynasty, 19th century.
Glazed porcelain.
Bears an apocryphal Kangxi mark on the base.
Measurements: 47 x 14.5 x 14.5 cm.
A pair of Chinese porcelain vases with square bodies, coated with a turquoise-green glaze and decorated with polychrome enamels. Their style and decorative repertoire are part of the “famille verte” (“green family”) porcelain tradition. This decorative tradition reached its peak during the reign of Emperor Kangxi (1662–1722), when the kilns of Jingdezhen produced porcelain of remarkable technical refinement and ornamental variety. Its success led to the continued production of these models in subsequent centuries, with numerous reinterpretations created during the late Qing period. The combination of a traditionally inspired geometric form with a vividly colored surface reflects the persistence of these decorative styles in 19th-century Chinese ceramic production.
The Kangxi marks on the bases are apocryphal, meaning they evoke an earlier imperial mark without attesting to production during that reign. The use of historical marks was common in Chinese porcelain, both to pay homage to ancient models and to link the pieces to prestigious traditions.