Dimensions: 22-1/4" H x 9-5/8" Dia. Pair of Large Chinese Blue Baluster Vases. Bulbous Hourglass body, elongated neck with flared rim. Two Lingzhi sacred mushroom shaped ears flanked on the neck. Lingzhi is known as the fungus of immortality, considered by the Daoist spiritualists as the nourishment of the Immortals (Xian). The fungus is a symbol of longevity, since, when dry, it becomes extremely long lasting. It is used broadly in Chinese remedy. It was believed that Lingzhi funguses grew in the dwellings of the Immortals, and that whoever consumed the sacred fungus attained immortality. The exterior is evenly coated in a deep cobalt-blue glaze which terminates at the bottom and top rim. The clay is very fine, with a brilliant glaze finish that was applied by a meticulous craftsman. Mark on base, a six underglaze blue script -KaiShu- characters enclosed within two fine rings, Made in The Years of Kangxi Reign Period of Great Qing.