Dimensions: 7-1/4" H x 7-1/2" W Chinese Qing Dynasty Period, Daoguang pastel pine crane pattern one-piece DouCai bottle vase. Thick Chinese porcelain, conjoined vase on the belly, ribbed feminine body rises naturally into a straight long neck, outward at the ovoid opening, raised on slightly short foot base. All reserved hand painted ornamentations are rendered in clean white underglaze base color which contrast against the DouCai design color. The main body adorned with several flying crane among scrolling ruyi clouds and vapor in the fine blue sky base color, enclosed all with lemon yellow base color taotie mask on the upper mouth rim and flower blooms on the foot base rim. The graceful crane is a common emblem in paintings. The name guan is used for both storks and cranes and the same symbolism applies to both. The crane symbolizes longevity as well as wisdom. It is fabled that when a crane reaches 600 years old it no longer needs to eat. It stands as a homophone for he peace, harmony. An embroidery of a crane formed part of the regalia of the top rank of Imperial officials. Guan sounds the same as guan official and guan hat, first place so can symbolize the wish for promotion to a high official position. A crane is often portrayed with a tortoise longevity or a deer longevity and riches. A stork often accompanies the Queen Mother of the West. This inadvertently gave texture, energy, and shading to the design. The color is balanced, elegant and exquisite. The porcelain displays a subtle sheen as the light ricochets across the finely glazed exterior. The clay is very fine, with a brilliant glaze finish that was applied by a meticulous, the shape is uniformly proportioned. Mark on under base, a six underglaze red script characters reign mark, Daoguang Reign Period of Great Qing Dynasty. See More