Squared vase

Square vase with straight sides, slightly tapering downwards, cylindrical neck, and spreading lip. The scenes probably depict incidents from 'Fengshen yanyi' (The Investiture of the Gods), a fantasy novel attributed to Xu Zhonglin (died around 1566). The emperor, the empress and a god in the clouds all feature on a different sides. On the neck, bamboos. Mark of the Jiajing period(1522-1566 AD); but the vase is of Kangxi date. A complete scene on each side: (1) The Empress and her ladies in a garden receiving offerings. (2) Two warriors in front of a tent, and captives kneeling. In the clouds, a god with a drawn sword; moon and constellations above. (3) The Emperor seated before a screen in a garden, a lady dancing and others making music. (4) A man arriving at the door of a pavilion brandishing a club and threatening a hound (a dog used for hunting) in the doorway; from an upper window a lady looks out holding a candle; moon and constellations above.