A LARGE 'FAMILLE-ROSE' FIVE-PIECE GARNITURE QING DYNASTY, YONGZHENG PERIOD

comprising three baluster jars and covers and two beaker vases, each brightly enamelled around the exterior with four panels enclosing figural scenes, all between a lotus-lappet band at the foot and a peony-filled cloud collar encircling composite floral sprays at the neck, the domed cover with four panels enclosing a maiden watching a small boy at play, surmounted by a large lotus bud finial

Berwind Collection (until 1962).

Sotheby's London, 11th December 1962, lot 71.

Christie's Amsterdam, 23 June 2006, lot 421.

These garnitures are in good condition with the exception of areas of flaking (particularly the blue and green enamel) and rubbing of the enamel (particularly the black outlines), crazing of the yellow enamel, and overall light scratches to the surface, pinhead size firing imperfections, and minute glazing imperfections dotted throughout the glaze; two c-shape areas of repair to the mouth rim of both beaker vases which appear to have been clean breaks (30cm x 7.5cm and 10cm x 4cm on one; 11cm x 3cm and 10cm x 2.7cm on the other); a 1.5cm firing crack to the inside of the rim of one beaker vase; a 1cm chip to the rim and a 2.5cm horizontal firing crack to the inside of the neck of one baluster vase; repair to the knops of two covers, which appear to have been clean breaks, and flaking of enamel on the points of the knops. The baluster vases may possibly be matched with the beaker vases.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The present set of garnitures represents some of the most grandiose examples of famille rose wares of the early eighteenth century. These vases and covered jars were created in sets of three or five and exported to the West to become the pride of European homes. The charming scenes depicted on these garnitures rapidly became the object of curiosity in Europe where the style was referred to in French as nouveau la Chine ('new China').

Garnitures of this type were decorated with a variety of traditional Chinese subjects; see a set of five vases decorated with shaped panels of figures, but the baluster vases of more elongated form, sold in our New York rooms, 23-25^th January, 1992, lot 357; another set enamelled with flower baskets, in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, illustrated in Suzanne G. Valenstein, A Handbook of Chinese Ceramics, New York, 1989, pls 271-275; and a set of three decorated with birds and flowers, sold at Christie's Monaco, 17^th June 1990, lot 60.