Chinese Blue & White Gu Vase with Scholar in Landscape, Late Guangxu Period (1871–1908)

A well painted Chinese vase depicting a scholar resting under a tree, his gourd hanging from a branch. Under an incised band, is a slightly bulging middle section showing plum blossom on one side and a chrysanthemum on the other. A third band with upside down plantain leaves point to gently flaring foot. The stepped foot is unglazed and without a mark.

The vase is in in excellent condition with no chips or cracks. There is evidence of kiln grit in the inside bottom of the vase.

The clay has black speckles characteristic of late 19th/ early 20th century Chinese porcelain. The cobalt shows the “hollow line” feature under magnification. This is when the cobalt particles concentrate on the outer edges of underglaze blue brush strokes or washes, and again is typical of the period. The unglazed base suggests the vase is Guangxu Period rather than later Republic Period, where the base would have been glazed.