Quadrilateral Vase with Design of Flowers of the Four Seasons

These square-shaped vases have cylindrical flared trumpet necks, tapering side panels rounded at the tops, and slightly sloping shoulders. Each panel is decorated with blossoms of a seasonal flower: tree peony for spring, lotus for summer, chrysanthemum for autumn, and prunus for winter. Painted in the so-called "famille verte" (green family) palette of enamels, these vases feature a glossy black ground. The resulting style of enamel decoration is known as "famille noire" (black family). Each vase bears an apocryphal six-character reign mark of the Kangxi period (1662–1722) in underglaze cobalt blue on the base; however, it is well known that vases of this particular decorative scheme were produced in the late 19th century and became very popular with European and American collectors.