A fine pair of vases with underglaze blue decoration of 'Nine Peaches'

Description:

China, Qianlong seal mark, late Qing/ Republic period
H. 33,5 cm
Around the body in graduated underglaze blue painting peach branch with nine peaches next to flowers, bats and rocks. Underglaze blue seal mark Qianlong and old label on the base.
From an old East German private collection, collected before 1980
The motif of the nine peaches (jiu tao 九桃) is one of the most important symbols of happiness in Chinese symbolism. Since ancient times, the peach has symbolised longevity and immortality, based on the legend of the goddess Xi Wangmu, whose peaches of immortality only ripened every 3,000 years. In Chinese thought, the number nine (jiu 九) symbolises perfection, duration and imperial authority. In combination with the peach, there is a phonetic resonance with jiu shou 久壽 - "eternal life". The motif of the nine peaches thus symbolises enduring vitality and dynastic stability. In porcelain art, this decoration mainly appeared on Famille Rose and Fencai porcelains during the Qianlong period (1736-1795). The naturalistically painted fruits grow on a branch that entwines itself over the vessels. The arrangement symbolically combines nature, fertility and heavenly blessings and was often used as a gift for birthdays or holidays - Well preserved