Important yenyen-shaped vase in green family porcelain depicting Guo Ziyi's birthday - 郭子仪拜寿图, China, Kangxi period (1662-1722) The belly depicts General Guo Ziyi holding a scepter in his left hand and his elderly wife, seated on armchairs, and surrounded by two children one holding a peony flower. In front of them, prostrate on a carpet, a child and an official flanked on either side by an assembly of dignitaries and young children watching the scene. Near the pavilion stand two old, tortured pines rising towards the clouds, among which appear the roof of a pavilion and the sun. The shoulder is decorated with a geometric frieze and four cartouches, each containing one of the objects symbolizing the "Four Arts of the Scholar": the qin, the book, the scroll and the game board. On the collar, a scene depicts an official holding a hu in his left hand next to a servant carrying a fan. Above them, the roof of a pavilion rises from the clouds. They stand next to a large pine tree and rocks, their heads turned towards a figure holding a textile-wrapped object under his arm and pointing to the sun. In Chinese 指日 - zhi ri means both "pointing to the sun" and "in a few days". Associated with 高升 - gao sheng - "to rise high", a symbol of promotion, the image of a figure pointing to the sun embodies the wish for congratulations: 指日高升 zhi ri gao sheng - "May promotion be imminent". At the base, two old exhibition labels: - Royal Academy of Arts, London - International Exhibition of Chinese Art, 1935-36. Ser. Nos. 1544 - Owner: Dr Leonard Gow - Helensburgh. - [...] The Leonard Gow Collection - Illustrated by Hobson in [the] Catalogue of the Collection, pl. 21 ; and [by] the same authority in " The Later Ceramic Wares of China, " pl. 13. Exhibited at the Chinese Exhibition, 1935, Nos. 1655 and 1669. Exhibited at the Glasgow Art Galleries and Museums. Height: 76.5 cm Restored neck. Gaps in enamel. Fel. Provenance : Former Leonard Gow collection. Exhibition: Royal Academy of Arts, London - International Exhibition of Chinese Art, 1935-36. Described in the catalog under number 1655 and illustrated in black and white. Publication: R. L. Hobson, Catalogue of the Leonard Gow Collection of Chinese Porcelain, London 1931. N°121, plate XXI. Illustrated in color. Guo Ziyi (697-781), considered one of the greatest generals in Chinese history, led a long and brilliant military career while enjoying a harmonious family life. An illustrious figure, he embodied the "Three Great Blessings" (三多 - san duo): prosperity, longevity and numerous descendants. Surrounded by eight sons and seven daughters, he ended his career and life peacefully, becoming the emblem of family success and happiness.