vase, unknown maker from China

During autumn in 1916, collector Sallie Casey Thayer made major purchases from Marshall Fields. Two tags still adhered to the bottom of the vase indicate that she acquired this piece from the Chicago department store, and it may be the Chinese glass vase listed on the October 2 receipt. If so, it seems she received a 50% discount.
In addition to these store tags, an incised inscription reads: “Qian Long nian zhi. [Made in the reign of Qian Long].” Glass production during the Qianlong period (1736–1795) achieved great fame and remained highly popular. It was also commonly reproduced during the late 19th century in China. This particular vase reveals the period’s sophisticated technique with the camphor, or snowflake glass, covered by a layer of cameo-carved, ruby-red glass. This technique is well-known from snuff bottles, but is very hard to accomplish on large objects such as this vase.
Scenes from stories about the Three Kingdoms’ (184/220 CE–280 CE) warlord Lü Bu (died 199 CE) and his horse Red Hare animate the bulb and neck of the vase. Made extremely popular by the widely read historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms, depictions of Lü Bu as a mighty warrior ranged across media over the centuries and continue into the 21st century, appearing in films and a variety of games.

During autumn in 1916, collector Sallie Casey Thayer made major purchases from Marshall Fields. Two tags still adhered to the bottom of the vase indicate that she acquired this piece from the Chicago department store, and it may be the Chinese glass vase listed on the October 2 receipt. If so, it seems she received a 50% discount.
In addition to these store tags, an incised inscription reads: “Qian Long nian zhi. [Made in the reign of Qian Long].” Glass production during the Qianlong period (1736–1795) achieved great fame and remained highly popular. It was also commonly reproduced during the late 19th century in China. This particular vase reveals the period’s sophisticated technique with the camphor, or snowflake glass, covered by a layer of cameo-carved, ruby-red glass. This technique is well-known from snuff bottles, but is very hard to accomplish on large objects such as this vase.

Scenes from stories about the Three Kingdoms’ (184/220 CE–280 CE) warlord Lü Bu (died 199 CE) and his horse Red Hare animate the bulb and neck of the vase. Made extremely popular by the widely read historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms, depictions of Lü Bu as a mighty warrior ranged across media over the centuries and continue into the 21st century, appearing in films and a variety of games.

Tap the image above to see the bottom of the vase with its carved inscription and two tags from Marshall Fields & Co.

Tap the image above to view a receipt from Marshall Field’s that may include this Chinese glass vase, purchased for $250.

Tap the Web icon above to view a stereograph image in the collection of the New York Public Library that shows a saleroom in Marshall Field's department store.