The inspiration for the theme of heralding an early Spring symbolised by the blossoming prunus is taken from contemporaneous famille rose decoration on porcelain. In addition, the combination of prunus and magies forms a rebus for "filled with happiness up to one's eyebrows". For ceramic Qianlong wares decorated with similar patterns in the Palace Museum, Beijing, cf. a famille rose hexagonal vase in the illustrated in Porcelains with Cloisonne Enamel Decoration and Famille Rose Decoration, The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum, Hong Kong, 1999, pl. 88; and a globular vase illustrated in Kangxi Yongzheng Qianlong, Hong Kong, 1989, p. 337, no. 18. A famille rose vase of identical shape and decorative theme to the present lot, was taken from the Summer Palace by Lord Loch of Drylaw and was sold on behalf of Hugh Morrison in our London Rooms, 31 May 1965, lot 110.

The decoration of the elaborate background is transferred from textile brocade, cf. two similarly decorated famille rose Qianlong vases, one in the Palace Museum, Beijing, illustrated in Kangxi Yongzheng Qianlong, p. 377, no. 58; and another illustrated by J. Ayers, Far Eastern Ceramics in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, 1980, no. 69.