Here is a truly stunning example of a 19th Century Famille Rose Cantonese Floor Vase, demonstrating exquisite detail and superb craftsmanship.Standing 88cm high, the baluster shaped vase has four story panels - two on the main body and two smaller examples on the neck depicting the life of the Emperor - in war with acts of heroism and bravery and also in a gentler domestic setting with his family surrounded by calm and elegance. The panels are framed by borders alive with myriad flowers, birds and butterflies, and completed around the top and bottom by dragons chasing flaming pearls.To the top of the vase are two ''handles'' formed of dragons painted with a rich orange ground and highlighted by gilded scales and spurs - sometimes these handles can be quite crude and lumpen, but on this vase they are very fine and delicate - with each writhing dragons body crowned by a ridge of spines. Inside the vase is painted a rich turquoise which contrasts beautifully with the exterior colo...