Pair of vases and covers

A pair of small blue-and-white porcelain vases and covers. Each formed of two tubular sections, the lower six-lobed body raised over a projecting foot and painted with ladies holding, alternately, plants and plant pots; the brief neck above topped by a narrower lobed section with plant sprays in similar panels; a small mouth above on which sits the cover, a flat cap with button knob. Round the foot is a chevron border, and inscribed on the base the commendation yu (jade) in blue.

Text adapted from Chinese and Japanese Works of Art in the Collection of Her Majesty The Queen: Volume .