A PAINTED ENAMEL WATERPOT QING DYNASTY, EARLY 18TH CENTURY

the domed hemispherical body set with a gilt-metal kui dragon handle, brightly decorated with two butterflies in flight amidst scattered floral sprays below a keyfret band, the liner similarly decorated with three bats, mounted with metal rims

A European Private Collection.

This pot is in good condition, but there are some tarnishing and light dents to the top surface of the cover and it may have previously been gilded.There is scratches and rubbing to the gilding to the foot rim, mouth rim and rim of the cover. There is also light scratches to the enamel to the base, and sides.
"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."

Enamelled waterpots of this type, with a handle and cover, are rare and no other similar example appears to be recorded. The liberal use of white enamel and the fencai palette for the flowers and butterflies, which are depicted in a delicate painterly style are reminiscent of that seen on a pair of enamelled cups painted with flowers and butterflies and inscribed with a five-line poem dated to 1721 or 1781, sold in our New York rooms, 23^rd march 2004, lot 549. An early Qing period attribution is supported by the relatively heavy metal body and the free painting style, two characteristics of early enamel-painted wares listed in Yang Boda’s study published in the Palace Museum Journal, 1980, no. 4, p. 43. Yang illustrates three examples of small covered boxes, a bowl and cover and an incense burner, ibid., p. 44, fig. 1-3 and pl. 1 top, from this group.

See a covered bowl painted in a similar manner with figures in landscape and the cover with flowers and butterflies, all on a white enamel ground, in the collection of the National Palace Museum, Taipei, illustrated in Enamel Ware in the Ming and Ch’ing Dynasties, Taipei, 1999, pl. 131.