A Pair of 19th Century Qing Dynasty Blue & White Porcelain Vases

A fine pair of late 19th century blue and white glazed porcelain vases of good scale, with foliate decoration throughout, the sides mounted with stylised lion mask handles.

The lion handles on this pair of vases symbolise holy beings, strength, energy and protection. In Chinese porcelain, as in many other Chinese disciplines, the lion is amongst the most frequently employed emblems. The animal represents some of the most desirable human characteristics which, paired with its ability to protect and its association with holy entities makes it a powerful subject.

Qing Dynasty, Guangxu Period

One rim chip restored