Small Chinese porcelain vase decorated in the famille rose style, China, Minguo period Baluster-shaped, flanked by two gold-enameled handles in the shape of a lion's head holding a ring in its mouth. The body is decorated with famille rose enamels on one side, depicting Magu accompanied by a child and her deer, and carrying a basket containing medicinal flowers on the end of a stick. On the other side, a dignitary stands with a ruyi scepter in his hand, surrounded by a woman holding a peacock-feather fan and a child presenting him with a jue cup. This decoration is a "pun" or rebus figured by the representation of a child wearing an official headdress here inappropriately called "guan 冠", and offering a jue cup to a dignitary. As "guan 冠 headdress" is a pun on "guan 官 official title" and "jue 爵 bronze wine cup" is a pun on "jue 爵 official high rank". The image therefore communicates the message: "jia guan jin jue 加官晋爵", to receive an official title and achieve promotion to an official rank. H. 25 cm (wear to gilding)