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Lot Essay
The distinctive shape of this vase, characterized by a bulbous body and an elongated neck, is identified in Chinese as shang ping or a "reward vase." This elegant form was favored by the Yongzheng Emperor, who often bestowed such vases as rewards upon officials for their achievements at court, giving rise to the name shang ping. Notably, the lotus motif which appears on the present vase in the broad band of the body, symbolizes purity and honesty, and was a recurrent feature on these vases. The wordplay within the qing (blue) and lian (lotus) elements forms the term qinglian (incorruptible), an idiomatic expression used by emperors to counsel officials against corruption throughout their careers. Consequently, the tradition of decorating shang ping vases with the blue and white lotus motif became a longstanding practice in the production of imperial porcelains. A nearly identical Qianlong mark-and-period 'lotus' bottle vase is in the collection of the Beijing Palace Museum, illustrated by Wang Jianhua in Gugong bowuyuan cang gu taoci ziliao xuan cui (Selected Collection of Ancient Ceramics in the Palace Museum), vol.2 , Beijing, 2005, p. 203, no. 179. Another similar example was sold at Christie’s New York, 24 March 2011, lot 1673.
The present vase is reputed to have been given to Anson Burlingame (1820-1870), a distinguished American attorney and politician, by the Xianfeng Emperor to express his appreciation for Burlingame's services in negotiating the Chinese treaties. Appointed as the United States Minister to China by President Abraham Lincoln in 1861, Burlingame played a pivotal role in renegotiating the Treaty of Tianjin, thereby fostering improved diplomatic relations between the United States and China. In 1867, the Chinese government appointed Burlingame as an envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary to lead a diplomatic mission to the United States and principal European nations. His exceptional efforts in strengthening diplomatic ties significantly contributed to laying the groundwork for future cooperation between China and the United States.
The present vase is reputed to have been given to Anson Burlingame (1820-1870), a distinguished American attorney and politician, by the Xianfeng Emperor to express his appreciation for Burlingame's services in negotiating the Chinese treaties. Appointed as the United States Minister to China by President Abraham Lincoln in 1861, Burlingame played a pivotal role in renegotiating the Treaty of Tianjin, thereby fostering improved diplomatic relations between the United States and China. In 1867, the Chinese government appointed Burlingame as an envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary to lead a diplomatic mission to the United States and principal European nations. His exceptional efforts in strengthening diplomatic ties significantly contributed to laying the groundwork for future cooperation between China and the United States.