Porcelain vase decorated with four characters from the "Table of Unsurpassed Heroes"-Wu Shuang Pu-無雙譜, China, late 19th-early 20th century Of baluster form with a square cross-section, flanked by two handles in the shape of an animal head holding a ring in its mouth. It is enameled in blue underglaze with various characters from the engravings of Wu Shuang Pu, a work by the painter Jin Shi - 金史 - published in 1694. It shows: Sun Ce - 孙策 (175-200), late Han Dynasty leader and warrior, here in armor wielding an axe, Hua Mulan - 花木兰 (400 - about 500) disguised as a man holding his bow with both hands, she joined the army in place of her father. Yue Fei (1103-1142) - 岳飞, famous general of the Southern Song Dynasty who fought against the Jin Dynasty, shown here in armor with his sword at his belt. Li Bai - 李白 (701-762), one of the most famous poets of the Tang period known for his reputation as a drinker, shown here reclining next to a wine jar, leaning against scrolls. Each of the heroes is decorated with a poem illustrating the episodes of his story. Height : 33 cm 十九世纪晚期-二十世纪早期