An attractive early 20th century Chinese cylindrical vase or censer, hand-painted to one side in the famille rose palette with two male figures amidst early spring flowers and snow-encrusted plum branches.  Both figures dressed in scholar's robes, the older man riding a donkey, his companion walking.  To the left of the scene, an unsigned and partially readable cursive Chinese character inscription with cyclical date of Wuwu (戊午), an astrological year recurring at 60-year intervals and consistent with 1918, during the Chinese Republic Period (1912-49), as judged by painting style and porcelain characteristics.

NOTE:  The cursive character inscription is meant to be read down and across, beginning with the left-hand column.  The first two characters are too cursive to read accurately, but the inscription in general suggests the painting possibly to be an artist's remembrance of going into the hills with his father or mentor to choose a “style name” or nickname, referred to as Zi (字) in Mandarin.  Chinese men traditionally selected such a name upon reaching adulthood.  In this case, the chosen name appears to have been Mei (梅), meaning the flowering plum or prunus, a symbol of vitality.  This is implied where the inscription seems to say, ”The style name Mei well suits able men molded in the ancient way” (Zi Mei fang gu yi zhi mei - 字梅仿古乂之美).

SIZE:  Height of 10.625 inches (27.0 cm), and maximum diameter across the upper rim of approximately 4.625 inches (11.7 cm)

CONDITION:  Fairly good with all but traces of an original gilt ring around the upper rim rubbed away.  Also on the upper rim, one tight production crack, arcing out from the top of the rim to a .75-inch (1.9 cm) width, visibly brown from environmental staining and shown by ultraviolet light not to be a repaired chip.  Further right along the rim at approximately 1.75-inch intervals, a shallow .375-inch (1.0 cm) glaze flake and a smaller .125-inch (3.0 mm) pop in the glaze.  On the unpainted side, one 0.250-inch (6.0 mm) wide carbonized and partially glazed production spot and larger horizontal ripple in the glaze, the latter visible mainly by glancing light.  Otherwise, glazed surfaces exhibit the expected potting, enameling and glazing variances, to include tiny underglaze firing spots, pinholes, glaze skips, small glaze and enamel disturbances, and other such characteristics in common with all handmade Chinese porcelain that was fired in a traditional kiln.  Close examination, including under an ultraviolet lamp, revealed no other noteworthy issues and no restoration.

The aforementioned and other significant points regarding condition are shown in accompanying photos, some of which have been annotated and all of which constitute an important part of this description.  Keep in mind, many of these images have been greatly enlarged to permit almost microscopic inspection of issues.  Please view them with care and caution, so that pictures meant to inform do not distort perspectives vis-à-vis the fairly good condition of this painted, inscribed and dated porcelain vase or censer.

FYI:  Please remember, our description and its assumptions regarding the lot for sale are based on the best resources available while the listing is in preparation.  To maximize bidder advantages, the text is supplemented by photos meant to afford visual perspectives approximating those of an on-site preview as closely as is possible in this venue and format.  The seller would be happy to try to clarify information and provide additional images if requests are received in time to comply.  Meanwhile, please read the listing carefully, observe our terms, examine all pictures closely and resolve any issues before placing your bid.

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