The size and elegance of these vases suggest that they may have been commissioned as a gift for a high-ranking court official. Vaguely reminiscent of the shape of an archaic bronze hu vessel and the floral-style decoration of Mughal jades, the sensibility and motifs of the vases, however, are quintessentially 19th century Chinese in style.

Each thin-walled vessel, with its lid, ring handles and chains, is carved out of a single jadeite boulder. The lavender tints and apple-green splotches harmonize with the pierced and relief decoration of plum-blossom branches, magpies and peonies. Plum blossoms (mei) are symbolic of winter and perseverance: they appear on old, bare branches, announcing the arrival of spring. Magpies (xieque) derive their good omen connotation from the word for happiness (xi). The pictorial puzzle formed by the combination of plum blossoms and magpies expresses the wish for “happiness up to one’s eyebrows” (xi zai mei shao).

One of a Pair, Chinese, 19th century, Qing Dynasty,
Worcester Art Museum, Worcester, MA, 12/01/19