Suantouping vase; China, Qing dynasty, 19th century.

Suantouping vase; China, Qing dynasty, 19th century.
Glazed porcelain.
It has a slight break in the ring of the sill.
It has apocryphal Chenghua seal on the base.
Measurements: 20 x 9 x 9 cm.
A Suantouping vase is a traditional Chinese porcelain vessel characterized by its "garlic head" design. In this case the piece features a wider base that tapers towards the neck, which in turn widens slightly at the mouth. It features detailed decorations throughout including flowers, synthesized foliage and ducks.
Under the Qing, inherited art forms flourished and innovations occurred on many levels and in many types. High levels of literacy, a successful publishing industry, thriving cities, and Confucian emphasis on cultivation nurtured a lively and creative set of cultural fields. During this period, the European tendency to imitate Chinese artistic traditions, known as chinoiserie, also gained great popularity in Europe due to increased trade with China and the broader current of Orientalism.