Chinese plique a jour vases with floral scenes and gilt accents

Pair of petit Chinese plique a jour vases, of baluster form with waisted neck and slightly flared rim, decorated with panels containing a scene of two vases on stands holding flowers and foliage, with flowers and foliate motifs to the rest of the body, in tones of blue, green, white and red on a pink ground, accented in gilt, height 5.12 in. (2)

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Plique-A-Jour - Plique a jour, which translates from the French as “glimpse of daylight” is a method of enamelling in which the backing is removed or cut away so the light shines through, with a similar effect to a stained glass window. The enamel is held in place by border.

Although the technique of plique-a-jour has been known and in use since the 6th century, it became popular again in the late 19th century, in Russia and Scandinavia. Plique-a-jour was popular in the Art Nouveau period, especially for jewellery.

Because of the length of time required to produce an item, and the high failure rate, production was limited, and the technique is little used today.
Foliate - Decorated with leaves or leaf-like forms.

This item has been included into following indexes:

Chinese ceramics, item type
- panels and plaques 432
- vases, other 2,540
plique a jour - jewellery and objects 96