Pear-shaped bottle vase with auspicious symbols and petal borders c. 1680 - 1720

This pear-shaped bottle vase with auspicious symbols and petal borders was created by an anonymous artist in an unknown year. The blue and white design is a beautiful example of a popular style of the time. It's easy to see the vase as merely decorative, but it's also a window into the complex exchange of ideas and goods between cultures. Porcelain, often associated with China, became a coveted commodity in Europe, driving trade and influencing artistic styles. The auspicious symbols adorning the vase are not accidental, they reflect a culture deeply rooted in beliefs about luck and prosperity. These symbols weren't just aesthetic choices but were meant to bring good fortune into the home. Even the act of placing flowers in the vase connects to deeper cultural practices around nature, beauty, and spirituality.