A LARGE 'FAMILLE-ROSE' 'NINE DRAGON' VASE, TIANQIUPING SEAL MARK AND PERIOD OF QIANLONG, THE ENAMELS POSSIBLY LATER

the robustly-potted globular body rising from a recessed base to a tall slightly waisted cylindrical neck, brightly enamelled and gilded around the body and neck with nine ferocious scaly five-clawed dragons writhing and grappling with each other amidst fire scrolls, all reserved on a turquoise tumultuous foaming wave ground

The mouth has a repaired V-shaped chip that has been restuck - the length covering about 1/3 of the mouth and extending about 8-10 cm on the sides. The area has been covered with overpainting, larger than the actual area of damage. There are some light scratches to the enamelling along with characteristic bubbling mostly contained to the pink and puce coloured enamels. There are some scattered firing flaws to the enamelling that has been retouched. The retouching may have been done at the time of production. A 2 cm area of the light green dragon has been retouched covering an enamel gap. The turquoise enamels has some light flaking. A 4 cm section of the foot rim has been restuck. The mark has been drilled. Overall, however the vase is quite impressive and the condition is still quite good.
"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."

Turquoise-ground wares became especially popular during the Qianlong emperor's reign but the present bold design and colouration is very rare. Compare a large cloisonné enamel vase of this form decorated overall with a closely related scene of nine writhing dragons on a crashing wave ground, illustrated in Zhongguo jin yin boli falang qu quanji, Shijiazhuang, 2002, pl. 278. For the possible inspiration, see a Yongzheng vase of this form decorated with nine dragons in silhouette in copper red amongst underglaze blue lingzhi scrolls, with a reign mark and of the period, in the Palace Museum, Beijing, included in Kangxi. Yongzheng. Qianlong. Qing Porcelain from the Palace Museum Collection, Hong Kong, 1989, p. 190, pl. 19. See also a meiping, with a Qianlong reign mark and of the period, enamelled with nine dragons in iron red on an underglaze blue crashing wave ground, in the Palace Museum, Beijing, illustrated ibid., p. 327, pl. 8.

For a baluster vase enamelled with two twisting dragons amongst clouds on a turquoise ground, with a Qianlong reign mark and of the period, see one in the Tokyo National Museum, included in the Illustrated Catalogue of Tokyo National Museum. Chinese Ceramics, vol. II, Tokyo, 1981, pl. 120; and its pair sold in these rooms, 2^nd May 2005, lot 509.