A pair of large porcelain vases decorated with the characteristic multicoloured enamels of the 'pink family'.

The vase has a wide mouth that narrows as it descends towards the long, slender neck, on which are two openwork dragon-shaped handles or ears, with fine reliefs decorating them. The body of both vases has a balustraded profile that rests on a typical circular base.

The colourful enamels stand out against the white background and give life to various large palace and warrior scenes, where the detailed patterns of the clothing, faces, figures and nature stand out. The large scenes are located in the centre of the body. On one side is a palace courtyard with a general in the centre and various warriors in battle poses. Both scenes are mirror images, for example the postures and hands are opposite. On the other side is a palace pagoda with a great dignitary seated behind a desk surrounded by warriors also in war poses. The decoration includes details such as Buddhist auspicious elements and "shou" characters. Both scenes are framed by a border of fretwork and peonies. The surrounding background is richly decorated with multiple lotus flowers and chrysanthemums, among others. On the neck, there are smaller scenes, also opposite each other and depicting the same theme. On the wide rim surrounding the mouth, a border ornamented with "ruyi" and eight-petalled flowers crowns the pieces.

On the lower part of the vase are pairs of dragons depicted in complementary colours, floating in clouds facing each other and holding a flaming pearl in their jaws.

This type of large enamelled vases of the "pink family" are characteristic of the Canton region. Throughout the 19th century, a large number of pieces of great technical quality and unique style were produced thanks to the novel pigments used, which made it possible to achieve chromatic palettes that were adapted to Western tastes.  Qing Dynasty (1644 and 1912) 

Provenance: Private Spanish collection.

Height: 88 cm