A LARGE FAMILLE ROSE 'NINE-PEACH' VASE, TIANQIUPING Late Qing Dynasty/Republic PeriodA LARGE FAMILLE ROSE 'NINE-PEACH' VASE, TIANQIUPINGLate Qing Dynasty/Republic PeriodSturdily potted with a large globular body surmounted by a tapering cylindrical neck, decorated around the exterior with large ripe peaches and leaves issuing from gnarled branches, set among flying bats and white and pink blossoms. 50cm (19 3/4in) high.晚清/民國 粉彩九桃天球瓶The name 'tianqiuping' (literally 'heavenly orb vase') comes from the shape which appeared like a celestial planet. This shape began in the Yongle and Xuande periods but was revived during the Yongzheng and Qianlong reigns. Most later copies were based on vases from this period, and the most convincing were made in the Guangxu reign. In the Yongzheng period, similar vases were always decorated with eight peaches, while in the Qianlong period they were decorated with nine peaches. The present lot has nine peaches.