Bean-Green Glaze Gourd Vase, Double Fortune Decoration

A pea-green (douqing) glazed double-gourd vase, Qing Dynasty, Qianlong period, with a six-character Da Qing Qianlong Nian Zhi seal mark in underglaze blue on the base.

Gourd vines and tiny gourds are carved in low relief beneath a thick, jade-like celadon glaze. As the light moves, the carving appears and disappears, a quiet effect inspired by Song and Yuan Longquan celadon. Gourd vines with many fruits symbolise many descendants and lasting fortune (子孙万代, 福禄绵长).

The gourd form (huluping) carries auspicious connotations in Chinese culture, as the pronunciation of “gourd” (hulu) is a homophone for fu (blessing) and lu (prosperity and official rank). The vessel’s body is finely decorated with continuous, intertwined gourd vines and clusters of small gourds. The endlessly extending tendrils symbolize unbroken lineage, vitality, and prosperity across generations, expressing wishes for enduring fortune, rank, and familial flourishing. Such imagery is a classic motif in Qing imperial decorative arts, frequently used in palace wares associated with blessings, longevity, and auspicious continuity.

The entire vessel is covered with a celadon glaze of elegant refinement. The color is soft and luminous, with a gentle jade-green tone reminiscent of fine Hetian jade. The glaze follows the aesthetic tradition of Song and Yuan Longquan celadon, characterized by its pure composition and subtle, restrained brilliance. The surface is smooth and finely finished, producing a serene and understated luster typical of high-quality Qing imperial celadon wares modeled after archaic styles.

The decoration is executed using finely molded, high-relief carving techniques. The motifs are full and dimensional, with clearly articulated layers. After glazing, the carved patterns appear partially submerged beneath the thick glaze layer, creating a sophisticated interplay of depth and transparency. This technique produces a restrained yet richly textured visual effect with a lasting sense of elegance. The complexity of this underglaze relief method and the difficulty of firing reflect the exceptional technical standards of Qing imperial kilns, representing the refined craftsmanship of high-status official celadon wares produced for court display.

The base bears a cobalt-blue six-character seal-script reign mark reading “Made during the Qianlong Reign of the Great Qing Dynasty” (Da Qing Qianlong Nian Zhi), arranged in the standard three-column format used for imperial kiln wares. This is one of the most enduring and highly recognizable official marks used throughout the Qianlong reign.

The inscription follows the strict court regulations for imperial porcelain marks, executed in a refined “iron-wire seal script” style. The brushwork is even and controlled, with consistent stroke thickness, crisp angular turns, and smooth, upright lines. The beginning and ending of each stroke are cleanly handled, without any sense of hesitation or irregularity.

The composition of the mark is carefully balanced and symmetrical, with a disciplined and orderly layout. Spacing between characters is precisely regulated, creating a dignified and harmonious structure that reflects the refined imperial aesthetic of the Qianlong court. The cobalt-blue inscription is deep and lustrous, penetrating into the glaze rather than appearing superficial, with natural and subtle diffusion that complements the fine white porcelain body.

The standardized Qianlong reign mark was written or traced under strict supervision by court artisans of the imperial kilns, with very few deviations in structure or execution. It serves as a key criterion for identifying authentic Qianlong imperial porcelains. This formal six-character seal-script mark was widely used on monochrome-glazed wares, enamelled porcelains, and relief-decorated imperial ceramics, representing one of the most direct visual symbols of the highly regulated official kiln system during the Kangxi–Yongzheng–Qianlong golden age of the Qing Dynasty.