Dimensions: 13-1/2" H x 8-7/8" Diam.

Chinese Qing Dynasty Period, Qianlong pastel painting bird celestial bottle. Thick Chinese porcelain, rounded shoulders converging into a tall straight neck, smooth outward at the ovoid opening, raised with a slightly concaved foot base. Thick gilt single ring line on the upper mouth rim. All reserved hand painted ornamentations are rendered in clean white underglaze base color which contrast against the Wucai design color. The main body adorned a couple magpie bird hanging on the sturdy tree interspersed with variegate flowers blooms and fresh green foliage. The magpie is universally admired for its intelligence and guile but it can be a nuisance to farmers. In China it has a positive connotation, a harbinger of joy and as such a magpie is used in paintings to wish someone joy as Xi means glad, joy, happiness. If the character is shown upside down, like Fu, good fortune, it means happiness is arriving. The most legend associated with magpies is that of Zhinu and Niulang where on the 7th day of the 7th lunar month a bridge of magpies allows the two lovers to be briefly re-united among the stars. Another legend features a hand mirror broken in two so husband and wife could each take one part, if either party was unfaithful then the mirror turned into a magpie and flew back to the aggrieved partner. This is why magpies became a favorite decoration for the backs of mirrors. If a magpie happens to be heard while ruminating on an action is considered a sign that the plan is the right one. The founding father of the Manchu dynasty is said to have been prevented from taking an unwise military action by a magpie landing on his head. There is also a legend that he was the son of a magpie. It is considered lucky if a magpie builds its nest near a home. In pictures a group of magpies symbolizes many good wishes, with an official on horseback signifies multiple joys. Pictures with magpies, bamboos and plums signify a wish for marital joy. With plums méiit gives the message xi Shang mei shao ‘may happiness fill you to the top of your eyebrows. A pair of magpies symbolize marital bliss double happiness. Rather curiously the character for write is xie in its old form was a magpie under a roof perhaps indicating that writing is setting ideas in order just as how a magpie makes its nest. This inadvertently gave texture, energy, and shading to the design. The color is balanced, elegant and exquisite. The porcelain displays a subtle sheen as the light ricochets across the finely glazed exterior. The clay is very fine, with a brilliant glaze finish that was applied by a meticulous, the shape is uniformly proportioned.

Mark on under base, a six underglazed red seal script characters reign mark, QianLong Reign Period of Great Qing Dyansty.

Over all in EXCELLENT condition.
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