Green-Ground Cloisonné Enamel 'Floral and Bird' Double-Gourd Vase
This double-gourd vase is a Ming Chenghua porcelain-bodied cloisonné enamel vessel, crafted using the traditional Chinese cloisonné technique known as Jingtailan. Recognized as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage of China, this celebrated enamelling technique originated during the Yuan dynasty. It came to be known as Jingtailan during the Jingtai reign (1450–1457) of the Ming dynasty, when the craft achieved a high level of technical refinement and became renowned for its exquisite materials and distinctive blue enamels. Cloisonné craftsmanship reached its artistic and technical pinnacle during the Qianlong reign (1736–1795) of the Qing dynasty, when it flourished under imperial patronage and attained exceptional standards of excellence.
Artifact Details
- Measurements
- VaseH 23cmMD 3cmFD 8cm
- Kiln
- Imperial Kiln
- Material
- Cloisonné Enamel
- Condition
- Excellent
A green-ground cloisonné enamel double-gourd vase, Ming Dynasty, Chenghua period style. The upper bulb carries a bold lotus medallion framed by scrolling clouds; the lower bulb opens into a turquoise reserve where a magpie flies through red and yellow plum blossoms, with every line outlined in fine raised wire.
The gourd (hulu) sounds like "fu lu" (blessings and prosperity) in Chinese, and the magpie on plum blossoms means "joy on the brow" (喜上眉梢), one of the happiest motifs in Chinese art.
The vase is of the classic double-gourd form, characterized by a smaller upper bulb and a larger lower bulb joined by a gently constricted waist. It features a narrow mouth, a slender neck, and gracefully rounded contours, creating a harmonious and well-balanced silhouette. In Chinese culture, the double-gourd (hulu) is a homophone for fu (blessings) and lu (prosperity or official success), making it an enduring symbol of abundant fortune and enduring prosperity. Its numerous seeds further symbolize fertility, the blessing of many descendants, and the continuity of the family line. The cloud motifs and floral-and-bird decoration adorning the body of the vase likewise convey auspicious wishes for good fortune, advancement, vitality, and flourishing life.
The upper section of the vase is decorated with a rich emerald-green enamel ground densely embellished with gilt cloisonné cloud scrolls. At the center appears a stylized baoxianghua (Treasure Flower), a variant of the traditional scrolling lotus motif. Executed in a vibrant palette of blue, purple, red, pink, and other enamel colors with subtle tonal gradations, the design demonstrates remarkable chromatic richness and technical refinement. As one of the most enduring auspicious floral motifs in Chinese decorative art, the baoxianghua symbolizes prosperity, abundance, and the continuous flourishing of good fortune.
The lower section is decorated with a turquoise-blue enamel ground featuring reserved cartouches enclosing floral-and-bird compositions depicting the traditional "Magpie on a Plum Branch" motif. In Chinese culture, the magpie symbolizes the arrival of joyful news and auspicious occasions, while the plum blossom represents purity, perseverance, and resilience. Together, they form one of the most enduring and auspicious decorative themes in traditional Chinese art.
The cloisonné workmanship is of exceptional quality. The finely drawn copper wires are fluid and precise, defining the decorative motifs with remarkable clarity and serving as the essential framework of the composition. The enamel infill is rich, lustrous, and evenly applied, displaying vibrant, saturated colours with meticulous precision and no evident overflow between the cloisonné compartments.
