This collared cylindrical vase is covered in Mason's well-known deep "mazarine" blue glaze...

This collared cylindrical vase is covered in Mason's well-known deep "mazarine" blue glaze, highlighted --  as was Mason's custom -- with surface gilding. In this case the gilding follows a complex all-over wave pattern. The shape is accented on each side with the familiar winged faces of curious beasties. (Are they bats?)

Mason's blue and gilt ground typically covers an entire vessel, however. The interruption of the field with two large scalloped  reserves--filled with raucously colored, and gilded peonies--is highly unusual and elevates the mazarine blue style to a memorable new level of distinction. Rather like a richly, but soberly dressed matron who has decided to sport an uncharacteristically gaudy corsage on her bosom.

Claims of uniqueness in any field of the decorative arts are dodgy and should be viewed wi...

Claims of uniqueness in any field of the decorative arts are dodgy and should be viewed with caution. Still, this is the only example we recall of this combination of the Japan and the mazarine styles.

Given the presence of the floral reserves, it is easy to overlook the beauty of the concentric wave pattern of gilding--really quite different than the typical variations on puffy Chinese cloud patterns.