A truly lovely pair of Chinese export porcelain tulipieres hand-painted in Famille Verte enamels with an outdoor scene of a nobleman or scholar seated at his desk surrounded by attendants and receiving an honored guest who is arriving surrounded by a procession of his own retinue. The lobed form, possibly after Middle Eastern or Turkish designs, features five openings surrounding a neck surmounted by a lotus bud allowing for a sixth stem and blossom to be displayed.  We have had several pairs over the years – always in blue and white decoration; this is the first time we’ve seen such an elaborately decorated polychrome design with a dragon swirling around the neck and the shoulder of the piece rendered in a densely painted floral pattern resembling a needlework collar on a garment. Measuring 8″ tall x 6 1/2″ wide and in very good condition.  Especially nice to have a pair, they make a beautiful conversation piece with or without flowers.  Mid-19th century.