A RARE AND VERY FINELY PAINTED PAIR OF FAMILLE-ROSE VASES SEAL MARKS AND PERIOD OF JIAQING

THIS IS A PREMIUM LOT. CLIENTS WHO WISH TO BID ON PREMIUM LOTS ARE REQUESTED TO COMPLETE THE PREMIUM LOT PRE-REGISTRATION 3 WORKING DAYS PRIOR TO THE SALE. BIDnow ONLINE BIDDING SERVICE IS NOT AVAILABLE.





 



each of ovoid form, the exterior painted with four evenly spaced oval medallions, each centred with a stylised lotus flower surrounded by entwined lotus and peony scrolls between further floral scrolls, all above a short slightly splayed foot painted with a floral scroll border encircled by a band of upright lappets, the neck further painted with formal lotus flowers flanked by a pair of stylised archaistic blue kui dragon handles above a band of lotus flowers at the shoulder, all below the everted mouthrim painted with a trefoil lappet collar, the interior enamelled in turquoise, the base inscribed in iron-red with a six-character reign mark set against a turquoise ground

Mr and Mrs Waller Taylor.
By descent to their daughter, Elizabeth Taylor Dunnington.
By descent to her daughter, Judith Dunnington Peabody.

One vase has a 0.9 x 0.7 cm rebuilt chip to the rim which is covered by overpaint. The other vase has a 0.8 cm hairline to the rim which is only visible on the exterior. Most of the gilt decoration and enamels have been well preserved.
"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."

Exquisitely painted with a meticulously composed floral scroll design, Jiaqing vases of this form and decoration are rare and no other closely related example appears to have been published. In its shape and fine enamelling this vase belongs to a group of wares produced at the imperial kilns in Jingdezhen during the early years of Jiaqing's reign. Wares of this period closely followed Qianlong designs and were made by the same potters who produced wares for the Qianlong emperor and his household.

A Jiaqing vase of closely related form decorated overall with similar lotus scrolls, but without handles, was included in the exhibition Ethereal Elegance. Porcelain Vases of the Imperial Qing. The Huaihaitang Collection, Art Museum, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 2007, cat. no. 136; and another depicting the 'Eight Immortals' between lotus scrolls on a yellow-ground and flanked with identical handles was sold in these rooms, 8^th April 2007, lot 502. For the Qianlong prototype of this form see a vase painted with the design of 'Hundred Boys' sold in these rooms, 1^st November 1999, lot 399. 

The unusual design of four large floral medallions surrounded by further leafy flowering stems may have been inspired by Yongzheng designs; see a doucai tianqiuping decorated with four floral roundels above crashing waves included in the exhibition Art Treasures from Shanghai and Hong Kong, University Museum and Art Gallery, Hong Kong, 1996, cat. no. 123, and last sold in these rooms, 8^th April 2007, lot 767. Compare also a pair of Jiaqing vases of compressed globular form with a tall cylindrical neck and tubular handles decorated with a similar design of floral roundels sold in our London rooms, 15^th December 1981, lot 232, one of which was sold again in these rooms, 14^th May 1983, lot 558.