清康熙 五彩精忠報國圖梅瓶11 in. (28 cm.) high
The scene on this vase is the story of Yue Fei, a Chinese general who lived during the Song dynasty and a symbol of Chinese patriotism. He was a brilliant military commander who fought against the invading Jin Jurchen forces, and according to popular legend, his mother tattooed the characters on his back, “jingzhong baoguo” (utmost loyalty in serving the country) to remind him of his duty to the nation.