Pair of Square Vases with Carp and Perch, Early Kang-he, Plate 1911

Plate 37 of the 1911 book Chinese Porcelain and Hard Stones, an original color plate of Chinese porcelain, illustrates a pair of square vases tapering toward the base, with trumpet necks, on a green ground of delicate tone. Carp and perch swim among water plants outlined in warm Chinese ink and colored aubergine, green and yellow. Lotus sprays mark the corners of the shoulder, and the horses of Mu Wang gallop through foaming waves on the necks. Gorer and Blacker describe them as early Kang-he period and record them in the collection of G. L. Bevan; height 19 1/4 inches (48 cm), width 5 5/8 inches (14 cm).

This is one of the two hundred and fifty four color plates in Chinese Porcelain and Hard Stones, published in London by Bernard Quaritch in 1911 for Edgar Gorer and J. F. Blacker. The piece was photographed and the plate printed in color, so the glaze, the palette and the modeling of the original are carried over directly rather than interpreted by a draftsman. Each plate faced a page of description in English and French. The plates are color collotypes, and the book records that it was produced and printed by the Menpes Printing and Engraving Company of London and Watford.

Edgar Gorer (1872 to 1915) was a London dealer in Chinese art. He traded as S. Gorer and Son from 170 New Bond Street, opened a shop at 500 Fifth Avenue in New York, and sold to Sir William Lever, later Lord Leverhulme. He was lost on 7 May 1915 when the Lusitania was torpedoed.

Even age toning. Handling soiling along the bottom and top edges. A few small foxing spots in the margin. All four corners complete. One larger brown mark.

This is an original antique print, not a modern reproduction. This item is sold unframed.