Porcelain vase enamelled in glossy black called "mirror black" and gold, China, 18th century The globular body is decorated on a background of chrysanthemums and foliage with four rounded medallions decorated with flowering vases, incense burners and the four objects symbolising the "Four Arts of the Scholar": the qin, the book, the scroll and the game board. The high tubular neck is decorated at the bottom with a frieze of stylised flowers surmounted by long banana leaves, and at the top with lotus flowers and ruyi heads beneath a frieze of swastika and small radiating motifs. H. 44.5 cm (cracks and wear to the gilding)