Two large, egg-shaped china vases – Louis XVI era

These two large, egg-shaped vases feature stylized flowers and dragons against a cobalt blue background. Each vase has a lid that is surmounted by a pine cone, as well as handles and piedouches made of chiselled, gilded bronze. At the time, cobalt blue was purified. All the impurities, mainly composed of manganese, were removed from the material so that the craftsman could obtain it in its purest form.
Under the Qing dynasty (1644-1911), new techniques and patterns started to develop. While numerous types of ceramic pottery were popular, some of those produced during previous eras, such as the “White and blue” porcelain from the Ming dynasty (1368-1644), were still being developed.

At that time, trade between China and Europe had developed extensively. It was spurred on by Emperor Kangxi (1660-1722). He was the one who took the initiative to send porcelain pieces to foreign sovereigns as gifts.