Square wedding vase

This is a square wedding vase with a short and straight neck, and a flat base. It pairs itself with H38b. They are almost the same size except for a slight difference in height, which was possibly meant to denote male and female principles. The exterior of this square vase is exquisitely adorned with three registers of five-color designs. The first register on top of the neck is a band of hui wen (key fret patterns) on a green background. Each side of the second register bears two raised panels, a round one in the center and a square one in the outer side, surrounded by red magnolia sprays against a black dotted and green background. The center of the embossed round panel illustrates an inscribed green "shou" (longevity) character in seal script on a yellow background; the rest of the round panel is in light blue. The raised square panel is decorated with a band of red western (non-Chinese) lotus scrolls. The upper and lower borders of the second register are hui wen on a green background, while an upright band of white floral petals with red vertical leaf-like patterns on the inner most side is applied to each adjoining border. The third and main register depicts four pairs of chilong (chi dragons are dragons with two tails and without an antler, and sometimes represented with a horn as seen on this vase.) in different colors, one ascending and the other descending. They are depicted among flowers (such as lotus, peonies, plum blossoms, chrysanthemums, magnolia, pomegranate flowers, etc.) against a black dotted and green background. A red chi dragon, either ascending or descending, is shown on each side, paired with either a black or yellow descending or ascending one. All the chi dragons hold a red lingzhi fungus in their left fore claw while extending the right fore claw to reach a flower or a leaf nearby. Overall, the complex five-color designs on both square wedding vases convey a wish for a harmonious, lasting and fruitful marriage, with longevity, wealth and good fortune. To name a few, the chi dragon is believed to be an auspicious mythical creature that can exorcize evils and protect from disasters. The Qianlong emperor particularly adored the chi dragon design and considered it as xi (happiness). From that point on, designs that resembled both chi dragons and imperial dragons frequently appeared on imperial objects. Furthermore, the dragon is one of the most important and complex of mythical animals in China. Although its appearance always looks ferocious, it is the most benevolent of creatures. It was the god of rain, who brought thunder, lightning, rain and thus, fertility and abundance to the land. The dragon also represents the male principle of nature (yang), a symbol of vigor and fertility. The inscribed 'shou' character denotes longevity. The lotus, namely hehua or lianhua in Chinese, is commonly adopted to symbolize marriage because he is a pun for 'harmony' (he), while lian is a pun for 'continuous or lasting' (lian). The lotus is one of the few flowers whose seedpod is already present when the flower begins to bloom. To the Chinese, this is excellent omen as it predicts the early arrival of sons. The magnolia represents feminine sweetness and beauty. The Lingzhi fungus is an ingredient of the elixir of immortality and thus, a symbol of longevity. It resembles the ruyi (as you wish) scepter, or wish-fulfilling wand, which was popular in later Ming and early Qing art. The peony, known as fu gui hua (the flower of wealth and rank), conveys a wish for official rank in the emperor's civil service as well as a salary and perquisites to ensure wealth. The plum blossom, one of sui han san you (Three Friends of Winter, namely pine, bamboo and plum, which still keep their integrity when all other plants wither and their leaves fall), is important to the Chinese as a symbol of longevity and good fortune. The pomegranate was a symbol of fertility and numerous progeny, and in this sense commonly appeared on betrothal gifts. The interior and the mouthrim of this square vase are white glazed. The bottom of the flat base is unglazed, exposing the smooth, white body. It is difficult to date this pair of five-color square wedding vases because neither of them bears any reign mark or inscription. Nevertheless, the depiction of the red western (non-Chinese) lotus scrolls bears much resemblance to the Daoguang model (1821-1850). Besides, the representation of the chi dragon's scaly body also resembles the Daoguang style a great deal. Therefore, the earliest possible dating of these two wedding vases is the Daoguang period