China, Qing Dynasty, 19th centuryThe vase is decorated on one side of the body with two magpies perched on plum branches, surrounded by large peonies growing from rocks, and on the other side with chrysanthemum and lotus flowers and a small insect flying above them. The neck is decorated with lotus flowers and auspicious fruits, between a bat and a bell on either side, all on a yellow background. The handles are in the shape of a stylised dragon, decorated in iron red and gilded. The base and interior are turquoise glazed. The centre of the base bears the Shen de Tang Zhi (慎德堂製) four-character mark in iron red.Provenance: a private European collection.Catalogue notes: Shen de Tang is the 'Hall of Prudent Virtue', the main residence of Emperor Daoguang, completed in the Imperial Palace in 1831. Porcelain objects made for this hall are marked Shen de Tang Zhi.A virtually identical vase was sold by Christie's, live auction 13982, Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, 7 November 2017, London, lot. 280.清 粉彩花瓶 慎德堂製 款