268. A rare large blue and white five-piece garniture, Kangxi period (1662-1722) Comprising three baluster vases and covers and a pair of beaker vases, each boldly painted around the body in tones of deep blue with panels enclosing different flowers issuing from gnarled branches, all between bands of shaped cartouches painted with floral sprigs around the foot and neck, the domed covers similarly decorated and surmounted by lotus-bud finials. The tallest 59 cm (23 1/4 in.) high (8). Provenance Acquired in Lisbon 19 May 1988. An important European Private Collection. 清康熙 青花花卉紋瓶一組五件 來源 於1988年5月19日得自里斯本 歐洲重要私人珍藏 David Howard wrote that 'it is clear from the examination of the 1965 Vung Tao Cargo that the most important part of the cargo were vases and garniture', see David S. Howard Choice of the Private Trader. The Private Market in Chinese Export Porcelain Illustrated in the Hodroff Collection, London, 1994, p.236. By the late 17th century, sets of blue and white porcelains comprising most commonly three covered baluster vases and two vases, had become one of the most popular items of Chinese export porcelain. Such sets of vessels were inspired by Chinese altar garnitures, similarly made using and combining sets of different vessel types. Blue and white garnitures were made in many different sizes and were a precious commodity once received in Europe. Sets of this grand scale were expensive and intended for very grand stately houses, where they would have been proudly displayed in and around the fireplace in the summer, or on the floor or mantlepieces of large halls during the winter. Compare this garniture with a five-piece blue and white garniture of the same size, sold in Christie's New York, 23 January 2001, lot 13, and a similarly decorated five-piece garniture of Kangxi date, sold in Christie's New York, 21 January 2004, lot 314.