Rare Shufu(樞府) Meiping Vase, Qing Dynasty

The porcelain with the inscription "樞府" (Shufu) refers to a type of Chinese white porcelain that was specifically made for use in the imperial court. "樞府" translates to "Inner Court" or "Privy Council," which was responsible for important governmental and internal affairs within the palace.

This type of porcelains often made during the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties, were typically crafted using the finest white porcelain (白磁, baici) and decorated using the blue-and-white technique (青花, qinghua), where cobalt blue designs were painted onto the white surface before glazing.

This piece is inscribed with "府" on white porcelain and is believed to have originally had a separate lid. The tone of the underglaze blue appears to be from the early Qing dynasty. Porcelains with the "Shufu" mark carved into the surface are extremely rare. The design features flying cranes and clouds, which are carved with simplicity and skill. The piece was excavated from the seabed, and although it was soaked in hot water to remove the salt at the time of acquisition, slight salt residue remains on the surface. The glaze on the surface has worn down underwater.

Period : Qing Dynasty(Presumably Kangxi or Yongzheng Period)
Type : Carved Meiping
Medium : White glaze
Dimension : 29.0 cm(Height) x 5.5cm(Mouth Diameter)
Condition : Excellent(slight salt residue remains on the surface, and te glaze is worn primarily around the edges, such as the handles and rim.)
Provenance: Southeast Asia, South China Sea in early 2000s
Reference : 
1) The Museum of Oriental Ceramics, Osaka - Museum Number 00704-1,2
(Type : related - Ming dynasty Shufu Meiping)

2) Christies Newyork 22 MAR 2018 - The Studio of the Clear Garden: Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art - Lot 604
(Price realised : USD 732,500 / Type : related - Ming style)
https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-6129537 

3) Asian Art Museum, San Francisco - Object number B60P88
(Type : related - Ming style)
https://searchcollection.asianart.org/objects/7408/vase-with-dragon

* Yuan-Ming Style from Qing Dynasty

During the Qing dynasty, many ceramics were produced that imitated the styles of the Ming and Yuan dynasties. This practice was not mere imitation but a creative endeavor to inherit and innovate upon past techniques and styles. Qing dynasty ceramicists mastered the exceptional techniques of Ming and Yuan ceramics and used them as a foundation to develop more advanced works. Particularly, Yuan dynasty blue and white porcelain and Ming dynasty colored ceramics significantly influenced Qing ceramics, with traditional patterns and forms deeply embedded in their creations.

Yuan-Ming prototypes were produced to meet the demand for ancient antiques from overseas. Qing dynasty artisans incorporated traditional elements while introducing innovative designs and techniques, producing unique and artistic ceramics. Thus, Qing ceramics are highly regarded for their respect for Ming and Yuan legacies while simultaneously creating new artistic expressions. This not only reinforced cultural authenticity but also played a crucial role in international trade and cultural exchanges.