An 18th Century blue and White Glazed Bottle Vase

A late 18th century blue and white glazed porcelain bottle vase, decorated with a continuous landscape of pagodas, a seascape with boats and flock of birds.

Most commonly, the pagoda is a tall structure with gradually tiered eaves. Although it seemed to have originated in India, constructed as a memorial for sacred relics, it is now largely associated with Japanese and Chinese culture. The first Chinese pagoda was recorded in the 3rd century BC. Since it is closely related to the traditional Buddhist temple, one can trace the spreading of Buddhism in China through the increased construction of pagodas. An interesting fact is that, due to their height, they attract lightning, which could be one of the reasons why they are deemed as ‘spiritually charged’.

Qing Dynasty, Qianlong Period (1735-1796)