A LARGE AND IMPORTANT COPPER RED ‘THREE MYTHICAL BEASTS’ PORCELAIN BOTTLE VASE China, Qing Dynasty, Presumably Kangxi period The vase resting on a flat not-glazed foot, with a globular body, a tubular elongated neck and an everted rim. Adorned in underglaze copper red against a white ground with three naturally rendered and lively mythical beasts, i.e. a fu Buddhistic lion, a pixiu and a bixie, their eyes picked out in underglaze cobalt blue. H: 40 cm Notes: Pixiu 貔貅 ressemble winged lions and are regarded as auspicious creatures capable of drawing cai qi 財氣, i.e. wealth. Bixie 辟邪 are the female of the species wards of evil and are believed to have the ability to assist anyone who is suffering from bad feng shui. Fu lions are also known as Buddhistic lions. This type of ware, combining three mythical beasts with the iron red enamels, is widely recognized as having appeared during the Kangxi period. A large pair of such vases is illustrated in David S. Howard and John Ayers, ‘China for the West, Chinese Porcelain & other Decorative Arts for Export from the Mottahedeh Collection’, Sotheby’s, 1978, p. 86, pl. 43. Compare with a related, though of smaller size, sold at Christie’s New York, ‘Chinese Art from The Art Institute of Chicago, 2019/09/10-17, lot 2, for USD32,500. Also see a related vase, that one measuring 42,5 cm, sold at Daguerre, Drouot Paris, 2019/06/12, lot 89, for €80,168. 釉里红瑞兽纹大油锤瓶 中国，清代，可能为康熙时期 NOTE: CONDITION REPORTS AND MEASUREMENTS It is up to the bidder to satisfy themselves prior to buying as to the condition of a lot. In relation to Condition Reports, whilst we make certain observations on the lot, which are intended to be as helpful as possible, references in the condition report to damage or restoration are for guidance. The absence of such a reference does not imply that an item is free from defects or restoration, nor does a reference to particular defects imply the absence of any others. The condition report is an expression of opinion only and must not be treated as a statement of fact. Measurements and weight are approximate and the potential bidder may re-ask it to be checked when asking for a condition report.