The vases of the 'hundred treasures'

Abstract

A pair of vases decorated with the Chinese subject of the ?hundred treasures? adapted to suit foreign tastes is the focus of this catalogue of the same name. Dating to the Yongzheng period (1723-1735) and depicting a continuous composition of antiques, flowers and animals, these famille rose vases are among the best export wares produced in the 18th century. Western designations for the ?hundred treasures? subject derive in a literal sense from the Chinese expression 'baibao' in which bai or ?hundred? stands for ?many?, although the subject itself is historically known in China as ?antique objects? or 'bogu'. Visually similar to the European ?still life? genre, 'bogu' is more specific in that the objects depicted have a high value because of their age, quality and provenance. 'The Vases of the ?Hundred Treasures?' brings to light the multiple auspicious designs that decorate these extraordinary vases.00Exhibition: Jorge Welsh Gallery, London, UK (02.-09.11.2019) / Jorge Welsh Gallery, Lisbon, Portugal (15.11.-07.12.2019).