Qianjiang vase

[Adriano]

I would like to identified the subject of this my vase.
Are they deities or dignitaries?
May be the calligraphy can help.
The bottom mark could be the artist or factory name, not imperial.
The period should be early Republic, possibly there is a date, not sure.

Thanks for help. 

[Adriano]

more

[peterp]

Judging by the headwear these are probably deities.

Mark: (劉鎮和祥)  Liu Zhen-He Xiang , often these seem to be marked only Zhen-He Xiang, a workshop name, it seems. I will try to find a better date range for this.
Republic period. I have also seen the name mentioned within a stamped mark of the Jiangxi Porcelain Co., an entity that probably was a kiln in the Qing dynasty and then got a factory naming afterwards.
The characters you framed in red is not a cyclical year. It does not start with 甲 but looks more like a 早. The handwriting is difficult to read.

This is not a vase. it is either an incense stick holder or a hat stand. In my view it is more likely an incense stick holder, in part due to the subject of the painting, but also because hat stands more likely have some openings in the sides. These were for aerating the hats/caps placed in the stands, but it could of course have been used for either of the two.

[Adriano]

Hi Peter,

your help is much appreciated.
Many thanks.