Pair of Large Antique Chinese Cloisonne Gilt Bronze Vases & Covers

Description

Pair Exceptional Large Antique Chinese Cloisonne Gilt Bronze Vases & covers / lids 28" Tall
Chinese, Late 19th century

Vase: … more Pair Exceptional Large Antique Chinese Cloisonne Gilt Bronze Vases & covers / lids 28" Tall
Chinese, Late 19th century

Vase: Height 26 inches
Stand: Height 2 1/2 inches
Total: Height 28 inches (please note the vases sit inside 1/2 inch deep in the stands)

Standing 28 inches tall, the vases in this pair are truly palatial. These wonderful Chinese vases are beautifully decorated with matching designs of colorful cloisonne enamel. There is one feminine (Ying) vase being offset in color of coral background with gilt bronze Greek key bands enamel color in Cobalt Blue and one masculine (yang) vase being offset in color of turquoise background with the gilt bronze Greek key bands enamel color in Red. The matching pair of yin and yang Chinese vases complement each other bringing harmony and balance to any room.
These exceptional Antique Chinese vases, richly colored with many details' high quality cloisonne enamel decoration made most likely for high officials and or royalty, encapsulate the natural world's vibrant beauty. Both of the Chinese cloisonne enamel vases have gilt bronze formed taotie beast heads as handles with rings in their mouths mounted onto the shoulders of the vases. The vases necks have attached gilt bronze lotus flowers with scroll design flanges and are encircled by a pair of parallel gilt bronze bands on the upper and lower part of the vase, the wrought from cloisonné enamel, are superb expressions of 19th century Chinese craftsmanship with additional detailed Greek key gold wire pattern on the lower part of the vases. The bases and mouths of the vases are articulated by Greek key gilt bronze bands with colored meanders (Greek keys).
Each vase features a bulbous body, concave neck, spreading foot, and covers/lids profusely adorned with cloisonné enamel decoration. The decorative motifs are distinctly traditional in character: dragon's circle the neck and the body has flying phoenix's that stand within landscapes bountiful with peony and chrysanthemums (symbolizes optimism and joy and happiness), while traditional symbols (Ruyi heads and lotus flower design as well as the components of the Eight Treasures) complete the decorative scheme.
The rich black and coral enamel on the lower part of the vases provides a beautiful background for the gold geometric gilt wire design (Greek key wire design) on the cloisonné vases. This pair of cloisonné enamel vases are wonderful pieces of Chinese decorative art. They were crafted in the last decade of the Qing dynasty, which lasted from 1644 to 1911.
The vases are finely decorated with colorful enamels applied using the cloisonné technique. In this method, metal strips are soldered to the object’s surface to create cells of space (called ‘cloisons’) which are then filled with vitreous enamel. In this instance many detailed colors white, cream, tan, light yellow, yellow, gold, orange, pink, purple, coral red, navy, light blue, blue, turquoise, teal, green, brown, and black enamels have been applied to form a variety of motifs, including scrollwork, geometric shapes, stylized animals and symbols very rare to see this many colors.
The vases are supported on carved wooden stands.
Vase with cover/lid and stand Dimensions: Height: 28"
Vase with handles width: 15"
Wood stand diameter : 8 1/2 inches
Sold As: Set of 2
Style: Chinese Export (Of the Period)
Materials and Techniques: Gilt Bronze, Enamel,Cloissonné, and hardwood
Place of Origin: China
Period: late 19th Century
Date of Manufacture: 1890
Condition: Very Good less