Two porcelain bottles

[S. Alex]

A porcelain of flattened elongated pear shape, painted in iron red and black with Zhong Kuei and attendants. The other side shows his sister getting married. Overall on white glazed ground.

Does anyone have precision on the date of this bottle?

Regards,
S.Alex

[S. Alex]

Porcelain of flattened “butterfly “form with a woman seating below a tree reversed by a poem inscription in black enamel.

My Chinese is a bit limited. I understand it could talk about Japanese and war?
Can anyone write out the poem in English? Any precision on the date?

Regards,
S.Alex

[Fiveroosters aka clayandbrush]

Dear Alex,
the first one is second half of 19th century, the second one is about 1920, plus/minus 10 years.
Do you ahve many bottles? It seems you have a good knowledge on Chinese art. Do you collect porcelain too?
Giovanni

[George]

Alex,

I like the iron red bottle very much.. Both motifs are really done in nice detail.

Can they be combined as one continuous story about Zhong Kuei giving his sister away for marriage ?

[Joey Silver / Si Zhouyi 義周司]

Dear S.Alex,
    They both look like genuine, albeit later (late 19th/early 20th C.) examples, and very good for their types. I actually especially like the shape of the second one. It reminds me of a type of fan-shape.
Thank you for posting them.
Shabbat Shalom,
    Joey

[rpfstoneman]

Alex,

I agree both of these bottles are late 19th or early 20th century, and at least the 1st is likely molded as two halves and cemented together with slip.  If you view inside the 1st bottle you may see a mid-seam.

Charll

[YT]

Dear Alex,

For the first bottle, George is correct to point out that this is a continuous story of ZhongKui together with his demon underlings arranging to send her sister off to her marriage. There was an exact similar bottle sold by Jade collector that states the dating at 1820-1900.
Do you have the height as it looks like a medicine bottle?

As for the second bottle, I have not seen this type of shape before so have to concur to our very own porcelain expert Giovanni 1920 dating.
I am half guessing the calligraphy is a poem written by Yu Yutian 余玉田 and has nothing to do with Japan or war. First two characters 美目 just means beautiful view.
The rest have to leave to our many Chinese experts in the forum.

Cheers,
YT

[S. Alex]

Dear all,

Thank you for your speedy comments and precision on the dates!

George: Yes I believe the two sides complement each other in telling a single story, in this case centered on the marriage of the sister. I like the portrayal of the "demons" in the story!

Joey: Shalom! So “fan-shape” it is rather than “butterfly”!

Giovani: I will surely post more bottles including porcelains. Thank you for providing expertise on porcelains.

Charll: Interesting point, I will definitely check for any inside joint mark!

YT: Thank you for the precision, I will check the height. It could well be a medicine bottle, good point.

If anyone is able to do a short English translation of the poem that would help.

Regards,
S.Alex

[Joey Silver / Si Zhouyi 義周司]

Dear S.Alex,
    I didn't see any antennae! 
    Seriously, I see your point re.butterfly shape, but, while I've seen Lacque Burgaute examples, they tend to be Japanese, quite flat  (maximum 15mm. thick), and much more butterfly shaped. At least the really good ones (I don't look at modern crap).
     I've seen more fans in this shape. Granted, they could be 'butterfly-shaped' fans ( ); in which case we are at the old "Which came first, the butterfly or the fan" question. 
     If you check out the one from the O'Dell collection, it actually looks like a Monarch butterfly!
Re-reading your message of today, I see an exclamation point rather than a question mark.
Sorry for answering a question you didn't ask!    
 Best,
   Shabbat Shalom,
      Joey

[George]

like the portrayal of the "demons" in the story!

I do as well !