A HEXAGONAL FAMILLE VERTE PORCELAIN ‘DRAGON’ VASE, KANGXI PERIOD
Lot 976 - AK0126

China, 1662-1722. The vase of six-lobed baluster form, with mock handles neatly modeled in the shape of bats. Depicting dragons alternating with precious and auspicious objects within ornamental panels against a diaper ground. The body decorated in classical bright Famille Verte enamels of yellow, green and aubergine on the exterior.

Provenance: The estate of Alan Oliner (1925-2023). Born in rural Connecticut, Alan Oliner (1925-2023) was raised in New York City, where his love of reading sparked dreams of exploring the world despite the challenges of the Great Depression. At the age of 21, he joined the family business Oliner Fibre, dedicating 61 years to its global growth. He met his wife Marion at a wedding in 1955, and the couple shared 67 years together in Manhattan’s Upper West Side. Marion Oliner had a distinguished career in psychoanalysis, authoring three highly regarded books on psychotherapy, drawing on her own experiences as a Holocaust refugee to offer fresh perspectives on trauma and its impact. A dedicated member of the New York Freudian Society since 1970, she was honored with an award for her lifetime of contributions. As president of Oliner Fibre, Alan Oliner expanded the company’s reach internationally, allowing him to fulfill his dream of world travel. Over his lifetime, he visited nearly ninety countries, immersing himself in the places and cultures he had once only imagined. He devoured books on history, art and culture, which informed his collecting, each acquisition preceded by thorough research. Visitors to their home were often treated to a tour of the collection during which Alan eagerly shared his detailed knowledge and enthusiasm for each object.
Condition: Excellent condition with some old wear, and few manufacturing flaws such a pitting, dark spots, and areas of irregular glaze pooling. A firing crack spreads along the entire interior neck, and is also visible as a thin hairline at the exterior.

Weight: 2.035 kg
Dimensions: Height 33.5 cm

The neck inside of the vase glazed white whilst the remaining interior is left unglazed. Vertical and horizontal meandering bands serve to divide the surface of the vase into different sections.

Action comparison:
Type: Related
Auction: Sotheby’s, London, 18 May 2018, Lot 416
Price: Sold for GBP 5,625 or approx. EUR 9,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A Large Famille-Verte Octagonal 'Dragon' Vase Qing Dynasty, Kangxi Period
Expert remark: Compare the related form, subject and diaper ground. Note the larger size (53 cm) and the identical dating.