A CHINESE PEKING GLASS RED 'EIGHT IMMORTALS' VASE. Qing Dynasty, 19th Century. The faceted octagonal ovoid body with a tall flared neck raised on a splayed foot, each face of the body decorated in turn with Zhang Guolao holding a tube-shaped bamboo drum, Lü Dongbin with a sword over his shoulders, Zhong Liquan holding a large fan, Han Xiangzi playing his flute, Cao Guojiu standing in flowing robes, Lan Caihe with his basket, He Xiangu holding a sprig of lotus and Li Tieguai with a gourd on his back, the glass of a vivid orange red colour with marbled streaks in simulation of agate, 22cm H. 清十九世紀 紅料八仙圖紋瓶 The Eight Immortals have been popular figures since the Yuan Dynasty in the Chinese decorative arts since the Yuan Dynasty, when examples of octagonal section faceted vases may be found, for example, a vase in the Philadelphia Museum of Art illustrated by Mino and Tsiang, 1986, Ice and Green Clouds: Traditions of Chinese Celadon, pp 202-3, no 82. The facetted form is thought itself to derive from Tang dynasty metalwork. The construction of the present vase is a feat of glass-making skill and is an exceptionally rare example. A very closely related example may be found in Claudia Brown and Donald Raibner, 1987, The Robert H Clague Collection: Chinese Glass of the Qing Dynasty 1644-1911, Phoenix Art Museum, cat no 42.

(22cm H.)