Chinese Polychrome Chopstick Holder Qianlong Reign Mark Republic Period

A polychrome chopstick holder with designs of “a hundred” boys playing.

The molded and pierced porcelain holder has double cylinders to hold chopsticks and let them dry or air out. A raised spire with a hole extends above the cylinders for hanging. A molded key fret border and Chinese characters frame a different scene of boys playing next to a river and garden on each cylinder. The black outlines on the scenes appear to have been mechanically applied and then colored in by hand using many colors of enamels.

The holder has a raised unglazed foot. The bases of both cylinders are stamped in red with the Qianlong emperor’s reign mark. The enamel has mostly worn off, but you can still see the ghost of a mark in the right light angle.

10 ¾” (27.3 cm) tall x 3 3/4" (9.5 cm) wide x 1 7/8” (4.8 cm) deep. Weighs 1 lb 6.6 oz (650 g)

There are no breaks, chips, or cracks. There are stains from age and use. The colors are still bright and fresh.

A utilitarian object that has been elevated to a work of art. I love the painting of the boys at play, just being children.