A BLUE AND WHITE PORCELAIN GARLIC VASE WITH ZHONG KUI AND A POEM China, late Qing Dynasty (1644-1912) to Republic Period (1912-1949). The pear-shaped body rising from a short foot to a slender neck surmounted by a garlic-head mouth, finely painted in rich underglaze cobalt blue to the exterior and depicting the evil spirit vanquisher Zhong Hui sitting on a horse and pushed by a little demon. With a poem inscribed in cobalt blue as well. The underside with an apocryphal six-character Chenghua reign mark.

The image of Zhong Kui is often painted on household gates as a guardian spirit, as well as in places of business where high-value goods are involved.

Condition: Excellent condition with minor wear and firing imperfections.
Provenance: Holzapfel collection, Geneva, Switzerland. This lot was acquired by a second-generation member of the Holzapfel family and has remained in the family ever since.

Weight: 650 g
Dimensions: Height 22 cm