A turquoise porcelain ruyi head vase
孔雀綠釉靈芝瓶

Kangxi period 1662-1722 AD China
 康熙時期1662-1722  中國

Height: 19.5cm
高：19.5釐米

The ruyi head is of flattened undulating form decorated with diminishing bands of decoration down to the central vase opening, the whole supported on a trunk like stand from which smaller ruyi fungi sprout. The irregular base has been left in the biscuit and carries the dealers trade label of Pierre Saque, a well-known figure in the Paris Chinese antique trade based in the Avenue George V. Turquoise monochrome porcelain was very fashionable in European collecting circles from as early as the 18^th century and was often mounted in gilt bronze. This example is very much a Chinese taste scholars object with its naturalistic theme combined with the Taoist symbolism of the Ruyi fungus which is associated with long life and the immortals.