Description: These rare Bulbous Shaped Vases (sometimes called Gu form vase) are highly desirable as they are a useful form for floral displays and mantle piece decorations. Common decoration between these two vases are the “Ming type leaves on the neck” (Schiffer) or Acanthus leaves and the flowers ringing the bases.

Differences between the two are the rain cloud borders inside the top rim and on the lower base on the larger vase whereas the smaller vase has no rain cloud borders but has a curlicue design on the top outside rim. We have not seen this curlicue design on any other Canton forms. “Acanthus” leaves also decorate Canton Water Bottles and Ewers as well as on other Chinese patterns such as Fitzhugh pattern bulbous vases.

Also pictured is a pair of the vases made into lamps. Note that this pair has the curlicue rims.

WARNING!!–MODERN REPRODUCTIONS OF THESE RARE BULBOUS VASES ARE BEING SOLD IN THE U. S.   (2/2013)(JL)