Small Chinese porcelain vase decorated in the famille rose style, China, Minguo period This baluster-shaped vase is flanked by two gold-enamelled handles in the shape of a lion's head holding a ring in its mouth. The body is decorated in famille rose enamels on one side with Magu accompanied by a child and her deer, and carrying a basket containing medicinal flowers on the end of a stick. On the other side, a dignitary stands with a ruyi sceptre in his hand, surrounded by a woman holding a peacock feather fan and a child presenting him with a jue cup. This decoration is a "pun" or rebus represented by the image of a child wearing an official headdress, here inappropriately called a "guan 冠", and offering a jue cup to a dignitary. As "guan 冠 headdress" is a pun on "guan 官 official title" and "jue 爵 bronze wine cup" is a pun on "jue 爵 official high rank". The image therefore communicates the message, "jia guan jin jue 加官晋爵", to receive an official title and achieve promotion to an official rank. H. 25 cm (wear to the gilding)