A FINE AND RARE LIME-GROUND FAMILLE-ROSE TEAPOT AND COVER SEAL MARK AND PERIOD OF QIANLONG

the globular body finely potted with six rounded lobes supported on a low foot below a small tapered rim of conforming section, set with an 'S'-spout opposite a loop handle formed of a sinuous chilong with head tucked into the rear lobe, finely decorated on each side with a pink-petalled lotus wreathed in scrolling foliage, interlinked with a pale blue bat above and a pink ruyi below, with attendant camellias and smaller lotus issuing from the curling stems, all reserved on a fine unctuous glaze of even pastel-green tone, the spout detailed with sprays of lotus and blue floret, the handle picked out with the eyes of the archaistic dragon, all between pink key-fret edged in gilt at the rim and a pink dotted band encircling the foot, the domed cover similarly decorated with floral scrolls on a lime-green ground between a gilt lobed rim and a lotus bud knop picked out with gilt petals, the interior and the base glazed in pale turquoise, the latter inscribed in iron-red with a six-character seal mark within a square panel reserved in white

Sotheby's Hong Kong, 5th November 1996, lot 882.

The teapot and cover are in overall very good condition. There are a few original gaps or shrinkages in the glaze on the interior of the pot. There is some light minor wear on the cusps around the interior of the lobed rim resulting from the contact with the cover. The glaze and enamels are very 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."

This teapot is unusual for its innovative lobed form and represents two of Qianlong’s interests: his predilection for the novel and his love of tea drinking. Moreover, of particular note is the restrained inclusion of archaism on the handle, which is almost camouflaged amongst the elegantly rendered foliate scroll. The Qianlong Emperor is known to have been a great collector and connoisseur of antiquities and advocated the use of them as a source of inspiration for modern designs for vessels. An eye on either side of the top of the handle and ‘C’ scrolls lining its interior are decorative motifs derived from archaic ritual bronzes, and is a subtle gesture of acknowledgement towards the emperor.

 

The Qianlong Emperor is known to have been a fervent tea drinker and is said to have composed more than two hundred poems on tea. He expressed his appreciation of tea culture in his writings and most of his poems make reference to plucking, processing and preparing tea. Annual tea parties were held in the first lunar month by the emperor in Chonghua Dian (Hall of Double Glory) within the Forbidden City, to which he invited his Grand Secretaries, ministers and members of the Imperial Academy to accompany him in drinking tea, writing poetry and pursuing other leisurely interests.

 

To cater for the emperor’s enjoyment of tea, he had an array of magnificent tea wares produced in a variety of materials that incorporated both traditional and modern motifs and forms. Such vessels combined function, aesthetics and creativity that complemented the sophisticated tea-drinking culture of the period, all of which was possible due to the superior and refined workmanship of the potters as evidenced in this elegant piece.

 

Compare an ovoid Qianlong teapot similarly decorated with lotus scrolls on a lime-green ground, sold at Christie’s Hong Kong, 28^th April 1997, lot 756; and a Jiaqing mark and period version of related design and silhouette, sold at Christie’s Hong Kong, 1^st December 2010, lot 3206. Another ovoid Jiaqing teapot of this design on a turquoise ground was sold in our London rooms, 14^th May 2008, lot 717. For lobed teapots of different type see one moulded with many thin lobes inscribed with a poem between ruyi and lappet borders, the spout and handles decorated with a flower scroll on a turquoise ground, sold at Christies London, 6^th November 2012, lot 260; and a pair potted in the form of melons, with the cover, curving spout and handle moulded and enamelled to simulate the stalk and branches, decorated with prunus blossoms, sold at Bonhams London, 12^th May 2011, lot 368.