A finely decorated pair of large Chinese Republic period baluster-shaped vases, featuring a vividly colourful hand-painted design of red peonies and pale green foliage on a dark blue background. Dating from the 20th century, each vase has a closely fitting and matching lid topped with a painted acorn-shaped finial. A bold and colourful ‘Greek Key’ pattern in shades of green encircles the neck, while the lower body is adorned with a traditional Chinese banded design in red, green and yellow. Simply glazed internally, and with such generous proportions, it is likely that these vases were originally designed for use in a commercial setting, such a shop or stall, to store produce such as seeds or rice. Please note that one vase has a small breakage in the neck, which has been repaired.