Black Background Chinese Bulbous Vase. The tradition of black-background vases began in the Ming and was continued on into the Qing. This 19th C. example shows off the desirability of the type with enameled undersea scenes of fish and aquatic life that are complimented by finely painted panels of lappet and fretwork. The purple & green colors are called Daocai, or competing colors in the Chinese records of artistic traditions. This vase is almost 17 in. tall and 8.5 in. across at the middle and no damage is to be found. The base has a backdated blue mark.