Items Similar to 19th C. Narrative Mandarin Palette Porcelain Vases Depicting Imperial Cycle

Pair of Antique Chinese Export Rose Mandarin Vases

Pair Chinese Republic Period Six Sided Covered Porcelain Vases

Set of two 19th Century Chinese porcelain vases

Two Pairs, 18th Century Mandarin Pallet Chinese Export Vases

Pair 19th Century Hand-Painted Chinese Vases

Pair of Palatial Hand Painted Chinese Porcelain Vases

Want more images or videos?

Request additional images or videos from the seller

1 of 17

19th C. Narrative Mandarin Palette Porcelain Vases Depicting Imperial Cycle

$3,800per set

£2,824.87per set

€3,307per set

CA$5,314.19per set

A$5,933.87per set

CHF 3,095.27per set

MX$72,965.70per set

NOK 39,066.11per set

SEK 36,779.36per set

DKK 24,670.26per set

Quantity

Shipping

Retrieving quote...

The 1stDibs Promise:

Authenticity Guarantee,

Money-Back Guarantee,

24-Hour Cancellation

About the Item

Narrative Mandarin Palette Porcelain Vases Depicting an Imperial Cycle of Duty and Ceremony Jingdezhen kilns, Qing Dynasty, mid-19th century Porcelain with overglaze famille rose enamels Dimensions: 10 inches high x 3 inches square (each) This exceptional pair of Chinese export porcelain vases showcases a continuous narrative across four panels, rendered in the Mandarin Palette tradition with vibrant famille rose enamels. Produced at the Jingdezhen kilns during the Daoguang to early Tongzhi period (circa 1820–1870), the vases depict a moral and ceremonial cycle of imperial authority, military duty, and courtly refinement. Panel 1 presents an audience scene: a high-ranking emperor or official seated within an elevated pavilion, attended by ministers. His robe, headdress, and throne indicate imperial stature. This upper register is architecturally connected to the gateway scene below, setting the stage for imperial command or reception. Panel 2, directly beneath, shows a mounted Mandarin warrior passing through a fortified archway inscribed with the characters 正门 (Zhèng Mén), meaning “Main Gate.” His gesture and attire suggest either a formal departure under imperial order or a victorious return. The gateway signifies the transition between the court and the external world of duty. Panel 3 portrays a ceremonial procession, with the mounted figure accompanied by female attendants and banner bearers beneath a grand phoenix-feathered standard—symbols of rank, celebration, and imperial sanction. Panel 4 shifts into a serene garden setting with two ladies standing amidst flowering plants and stylized rocks, embodying feminine elegance and domestic harmony. Together, the vases narrate a Confucian ideal of service, hierarchy, and cultivated life—deeply appealing to 19th-century Western collectors drawn to imperial spectacle and refined storytelling. This setting often symbolizes: processional Imperial or official life, with figures either entering or exiting a palatial complex or government building. The mounted horsemen depicted at the gates are frequently military officials, messengers, or nobles, signifying rank, power, or narrative transitions—such as arrivals, departures, or ceremonial visits. The architecture (arched gates, tiled roofs, and blue “brick” façades) is stylized but based on classical Chinese fortress and palace design. This iconography adds a layer of storytelling and elevates the decorative value for export markets, where such exoticized imperial scenes fascinated European collectors. It’s often referred to as “Mandarin Figures” or “Mandarin Scene” pattern — this refers to the richly dressed figures in narrative courtly or domestic scenes. “Palace Scene” or “Court” Scene”—especially when the figures are shown before gates, in pavilions, or surrounded by architectural elements. “Warrior or Horseman before the Gate” motif — in collector and auction contexts, scenes like yours (with riders before palace gates) are sometimes labeled this way when describing specific versions of the broader Mandarin Palette tradition. Background: These types of vases were especially popular in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, made in Jingdezhen for export, and tailored to appeal to European tastes through elaborate storytelling and exotic imagery. There is no single official name for this exact pattern, but it falls within a well-known category of "Mandarin Palette" or "Mandarin Pattern" porcelain, which is a recognized term in the world of Chinese export ceramics. However, to be more specific: It’s often referred to as “Mandarin Figures” or “Mandarin Scene” pattern — this refers to the richly dressed figures in narrative courtly or domestic scenes. “Palace Scene” or “Court” Scene”—especially when the figures are shown before gates, in pavilions, or surrounded by architectural elements. “Warrior or Horseman before the Gate” motif — in collector and auction contexts, scenes like yours (with riders before palace gates) are sometimes labeled this way when describing specific versions of the broader Mandarin Palette tradition. Background: These types of vases were especially popular in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, made in Jingdezhen for export, and tailored to appeal to European tastes through elaborate storytelling and exotic imagery. Pair of Chinese Export Porcelain Vases with "Mandarin Figures Before the Gate" Motif, Qing Dynasty, 19th Century A finely painted pair of Chinese export porcelain vases, decorated in the Mandarin Palette with vibrant famille rose enamels, dating to the 19th century. Each vase features a squared baluster form with a flared neck and is adorned with elaborate figural scenes characteristic of the "Mandarin Figures" tradition. The primary panels depict noble horsemen approaching a grand palace or fortified gate, rendered in architectural blue with purple doors and flanked by aristocratic figures within a pavilion setting above. These courtly tableaux are framed by delicately painted foliage, auspicious clouds, and ornamental borders, reflecting the Qing Dynasty's fascination with pageantry and imperial life. Executed in rich overglaze enamels with fine attention to costume detail, facial expressions, and narrative staging, this pair exemplifies the "Palace Scene" or "Figures Before the Gate" variation within the broader Mandarin export genre. Unmarked, as typical for the period, and retaining their original unglazed bases. A superb example of 19th-century Chinese porcelain made for the European market, these vases offer both decorative charm and historical storytelling.

Dimensions:

Height: 10 in (25.4 cm)Width: 3 in (7.62 cm)Depth: 3 in (7.62 cm)

Sold As:

Set of 2

Style:

Chinese Export (Of the Period)

Materials and Techniques:

Porcelain,Enameled,Gilt,Hand-Painted

Place of Origin:

China

Period:

19th Century

Date of Manufacture:

19th Century

Condition:

Wear consistent with age and use.

Seller Location:

West Palm Beach, FL

Reference Number:

Seller: T32011stDibs: LU2592344935922

More From This Seller

View All

Pair of Chinese Famille Rose “Wu Shuang ” Quadrangular Vases

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

Famille-rose 'wu shuang ' quadrangular vase A pair of Chinese Famille Rose “Wu Shuang Pu” quadrangular vases 20th Century, Of typical form decorated with various characters from th...

Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Ceramics

Materials

Porcelain

Pair of Chinese Famille Rose “Wu Shuang ” Quadrangular Vases

$3,260 / set

Pair of Chinese Export Porcelain American* Market Landscape Vases & Covers

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

Pair of Chinese Export Porcelain American* Market Landscape Vases & Covers China, Circa 1800 * American/ European Market, considered to the Chinese to be the same market, by many. it's been suggested the front and back vignettes of houses in landscape on this model, were painted from a European print the Chinese porcelain workshops acquired. A extraordinary find, a pair of Chinese Export Porcelain American/ European Market painted in sepia, colors and gilt vases & covers, with twelve (12) placed American/ European and Chinese motif vignettes. Each vase complete with its original cover/ lid with gilt recumbent foo-dog, with two front and back oval vignettes of a Chinese tree in landscape. Each of the baluster vases, exquisitely hand-painted front and back with a similar American/ European topographical view of country houses with trees landscape. (The Chinese porcelain workshops probably copied these scenes from a European print) Surrounded by an elaborate painted and enameled trellis with vines and leaves. Some traces worn, additional gilt decoration is evident. Both sides of the vases are decorated with an upper elongated cartouche painted...

Category

Antique Early 19th Century Chinese Chinese Export Ceramics

Materials

Porcelain

Pair of Chinese Export Porcelain American* Market Landscape Vases & Covers

$4,600 Sale Price / set

$1,920 Sale Price / set

20% Off

French Samson Porcelain Chinese Export Style 4-Piece Garniture Set

By Samson & Cie

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

French Samson Porcelain Chinese Export Style 4-Piece Garniture Set France, Circa 1950s Consisting of four pieces, each one decorated in the Chinese Export style with hanging baskets of flowers in vignettes with floral surrounds, painted in a subtle palette of reds, blues and gilt decoration. The two covered vases with resting lion lids...

Category

20th Century French Chinese Export Garniture

Materials

Porcelain

Located in El Monte, CA

This palatial pair of hand-painted Chinese baluster shaped vases display the intricate and detailed craftsmanship of Chinese porcelain in a rare height measuring nearly 4 ft. tall ea...

Category