Qing Dynasty Blue Underglazed White Porcelain Hu-Form Wine Vessel W/Artemisia Leaf Mark (From a Vietnamese Royal Family) - This wine vessel is of typical Hu form with a pear-shaped body that swells and flares into a narrow neck, and is finished with deer-form handles. The vessel is elaborately decorated in vivid blue underglaze with an ornate scene of traveling scholars. This piece comes from the estate of a Vietnamese Royal Family (the family now lives in the United States, and wishes to remain private as they still have relatives living in Vietnam). The base of the vase bears the Artemisia leaf mark in blue underglaze. This mark is typical of the Kangxi period, as up until the early 1680's conditions were unsettled in China and the existence of Imperial wares as well as the use of reign marks on porcelain was restricted in various ways resulting in a number of marks which came into use. Measurements: 4"H x 3.5"W.