China, 1662-1722. The ovoid body supported on a short foot and rising to a waisted neck with lipped rim, finely decorated in bright enamels to the body with two scholars playing a game of xiangqi (Chinese chess) at a table flanked by two attendants, one bringing tea and cups on a tray, beside bamboo and a large scholar's rock, a window in the background providing a glimpse outside. The shoulder with four oval medallions enclosing ribboned precious objects against a cash-diapered ground below a mountainous landscape to the neck.

Provenance: J. Van Goidsenhoven, Brussels, Belgium, 1967. A private collection in Heverlee, Belgium, acquired from the above and thence by descent in the same family. A copy of an expertise describing the present lot, written and signed by J. Van Goidsenhoven, dated 14 November 1967, confirming the dating above, accompanies this lot. J. Van Goidsenhoven was a noted expert for Chinese porcelain, who has published several reference books on the subject, especially on monochrome as well as blue and white wares.
Condition: Very good condition with minor wear and firing irregularities. The mouth with a small glaze recess.

Weight: 618.6 g
Dimensions: Height 23.3 cm

Literature comparison:
Compare a related famille verte vase depicting women enjoying scholarly pursuits, 43 cm high, dated to the Kangxi period, in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, accession number 61.200.67.

Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Christie's Hong Kong, 6 December 2022, lot 3216
Price: HKD 126,000 or approx. EUR 15,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A famille verte and gilt decorated 'figural' vase, Kangxi period
Expert remark: Compare the related form and similar decoration to the vase. Note the similar size (24.7 cm).