Set of Chinese Millefleur porcelain lidded jars

Description

A stunning pair of large Millefleur lidded pots that instantly lights up the room - richly polychromed, with sparkling gold and an exceptionally refined sea of flowers running from top to foot. Standing 62 cm tall, this monumental duo is exactly the kind of statement-piece you see in high-end Asian interiors and classic art collections. The colours are vibrant, the enamel painting is richly applied and the Millefleur decoration shows an impressive variety of chrysanthemums, lotus, peonies, bunches of grapes and leaves, outlined in a soft but luxurious pastel colour combination.

The pots are completely hand-painted - you can see in the details the subtle brush strokes, the transparent enamel layers and the beautiful play of light on the gold. Each one bears a different mark, which is common for this type of 20th-century Millefleur porcelain from different workshops; however, the decoration and execution match perfectly, making this unmistakably a set.

Origin & meaning
The Millefleur (‘thousand flowers’) motif is a popular setting within Chinese porcelain tradition. It symbolises abundance, flowering, prosperity and the beauty of nature. The combination of gold and pastel colours is typical of luxury export porcelain from the 20th century, where studios manufactured elaborate, almost carpet-like floral compositions for interior use in Europe and Asia.

Dimensions & condition
Height ca. 62 cm, diameter ca. 33 cm. Excellent condition: no chips, no hairlines, the gold is nicely intact and the enamel painting is bright and clean. Both pots have a different mark on the bottom, which is entirely in keeping with the production practice of this type of work.