A Famille-Rose ‘Boys at Play’ Vase with Ruyi Handles

This famille-rose porcelain vase from the Jiaqing reign exemplifies the refined craftsmanship and
auspicious decorative sensibilities of the Qing imperial kilns. The vessel features a flared mouth,
waisted neck, sloping shoulders, swelling mid-section tapering to a recessed base with flared footrim,
its symmetry and elegant contour manifesting the aesthetic precision of official ware. On either side
of the neck are applied ruyi-shaped handles delicately enamelled in soft pastel tones, adding balance
and grace to the overall form.
The body is finely painted in famille rose enamels on a pure white glaze with the “Boys at Play”
(yingxi) theme, symbolising blessings of prosperity and lineage. Over twenty children are depicted in
lively poses—some carrying lanterns, others presenting longevity peaches or gleefully chasing one
another—each rendered with vivid expression and animated gesture. The scene is set amid scrolling
lotus, rockwork, banana trees, and pavilions, creating a rhythmic and layered composition brimming
with festive vitality.
The enamels display the hallmark of Jiaqing craftsmanship: harmonious colour gradation, delicate
shading, and subtle brilliance. The glaze is lustrous and smooth, with a warm sheen; minor natural
crackles attest to the integration of glaze and body. The recessed base is glazed white and inscribed
in underglaze blue with a six-character seal script mark Da Qing Jiaqing Nian Zhi (Made in the Jiaqing
reign of the Great Qing), written in dignified and well-spaced characters.
Elegant in form, rich in symbolism, and superbly executed, this Jiaqing Famille-Rose “Boys at Play”
Vase with Ruyi Handles stands as a representative masterpiece of late-Qing imperial porcelain artistry.