A Chinese porcelain Dutch-decorated rouleau vase Kangxi 1662-1722

A Chinese porcelain Dutch-decorated rouleau vase Kangxi 1662-1722, originally decorated with an allover moulded design of lotus amidst waves, later-enamelled in Holland with a bird in flight above two deer between large branches of peony, the shoulder and neck with bands of stiff leaves in iron red, the reverse with a further bird in flight above flowers, 26.5cm.

Provenance: the Helen Espir Collection, no. 881. Purchased from Bonhams, The Watney Collection of Chinese Porcelain Decorated in Holland and England, 7th November 2003, lot 16.

Exhibited: British Museum, East Meets West, fig. 35.

Illustrated: Helen Espir, European Decoration on Oriental Porcelain, p.100, pl.32.

The lack of understanding of Chinese imagery is demonstrated here by the combination of a phoenix and crane in one bird. The deer likewise has a distinctly un-Chinese look about it.