Baluster-Form Vase
Updated August 23, 2026
| Lot number | 100 |
| Category | Pottery, China & Glass |
| Auction | Niagara Parkway Downsizing |
| Date | September 2, 2026 at 8:05 PM EDT |
| Auction house | Amber Door Estate Sales Inc. |
| Location | Niagara-on-the-Lake |
A large porcelain vase of square baluster form featuring a flared neck and two applied unglazed beast-head mask handles with moulded rings. The vessel is decorated in the famille noire style with a mirror-black ground and overglaze polychrome and gilded motifs. The neck and lower sections are painted with figures in traditional Chinese dress within garden and river landscape scenes. The main body displays scrolling peonies, chrysanthemums, and butterflies. The central panel contains four columns of Chinese calligraphy set between two dragon-head scrolls, translating as: Regulate the spirit when angry; Be careful of words spoken too easily; A busy heart makes mistakes; Cherish money while you have it. The top rim is finished in an orange-brown glaze. The underside of the base features a red rectangular stamp with an illustration of an official and the characters 榮昌祥製 (Rong Chang Xiang Zhi), accompanied by contemporary export and quality control stickers. Dimensions (measured against a tape): H approx. 47 cm x W approx. 19 cm. Condition: The vase is in good overall condition with no visible chips, cracks, or signs of restoration. There is minor wear to the gilded decoration, specifically on the raised beast-head handles and edges. The underside shows light shelf-wear and minor surface marking.
