- 103
A FINE AND RARE FAMILLE-ROSE ELEPHANT-HANDLED VASE, ZUN SEAL MARK AND PERIOD OF JIAQING
Estimate
4,000,000 - 6,000,000 HKD
Log in to view results
bidding is closed
Description
- porcelain
of archaistic zun form, the well-proportioned baluster body supported on a short foot and tapering to a straight mouthrim, the neck flanked by a pair of handles modelled in the form of elephant heads, the exterior exquisitely detailed in shaded tones of the famille-rose palette with four large stylised lotus blooms borne on meandering leafy stems issuing small gourds, lotus buds and blossoms, each main side of the neck detailed with scrolling foliage suspending a wan symbol and an endless knot, the knot further suspending a pair of fish, above a beribboned archaistic chime depicted interlinked with the curling scrolls near the foot, all between bands of pendent stylised ruyi heads and upright petal lappets surrounding the gilt mouthrim and foot respectively, the footrim further detailed with a pink key-fret band, the interior and base enamelled turquoise, the latter centred with a six-character iron-red seal mark within a white cartouche
Condition
The overall condition is very good. There are only occasional light surface scratches and wear, especially to the turquoise glaze on the base, and minute areas of rubbing to the gilded band at the foot.
"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."
"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."
Catalogue Note
This vase is filled with auspicious objects that suggests it was created to be presented on the occasion of a marriage. The endless knot (panchang) represents the wish for longevity, while the chime (qing) and fish (yu) are homophonous with celebration and abundance respectively, to form the rebus ji qing you yu (abundance of auspiciousness and celebration).
The overall composition is characteristic of the early Jiaqing period, when designs were often set amid meandering stylised lotus and other exotic flowers on a white body that served as the painter’s ‘canvas’, and when the influence of Qianlong period painting style remained strong and evident. The elephant-head handles on this vase continue a design concept developed by the Qianlong Emperor, which was favoured for its auspicious symbolism. The elephant is closely associated with Daoism and is the symbol of peace. During the Qianlong reign, real elephants were used in processions when celebrating the Emperor’s birthday, while representing a time for renewal during New Year festivities. For a Qianlong vase with elephant-head handles see a large famille-rose ovoid vase decorated with a foliate lotus scroll, the central lotus bloom surrounded by five bats, sold in these rooms, 8th April 2010, lot 1942; and another sold in our London rooms, 14th July 1981, lot 122.
Compare also a similarly decorated large yellow-ground Qianlong mark and period vase, each side enamelled with a large lotus head wreathed by feathery foliate scrolls interspersed with beribboned anbaxian emblems, the neck depicting a chime, twin fish and wan symbol, from the collection of Alberto Pasini (1826-99), sold in these rooms, 7th April 2015, lot 3608. This combination of motifs and style of decoration continued into the Daoguang period, as evidenced by a vase of compressed globular form, the long neck flanked by loop handles, sold twice in these rooms, 16th May 1989, lot 309, and again, 2003.
Further Jiaqing vases decorated in a related style include one in the Huahaitang collection, included in the exhibition Ethereal Elegance. Porcelain Vases of the Imperial Qing, Art Museum, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 2007, cat. no. 136; a pair of yellow-ground vases published in Qingdai ciqi jianding, Shanghai, 1994, pl. 247; and a turquoise-ground example offered in these rooms, 8th April 2010, lot 1943.
The overall composition is characteristic of the early Jiaqing period, when designs were often set amid meandering stylised lotus and other exotic flowers on a white body that served as the painter’s ‘canvas’, and when the influence of Qianlong period painting style remained strong and evident. The elephant-head handles on this vase continue a design concept developed by the Qianlong Emperor, which was favoured for its auspicious symbolism. The elephant is closely associated with Daoism and is the symbol of peace. During the Qianlong reign, real elephants were used in processions when celebrating the Emperor’s birthday, while representing a time for renewal during New Year festivities. For a Qianlong vase with elephant-head handles see a large famille-rose ovoid vase decorated with a foliate lotus scroll, the central lotus bloom surrounded by five bats, sold in these rooms, 8th April 2010, lot 1942; and another sold in our London rooms, 14th July 1981, lot 122.
Compare also a similarly decorated large yellow-ground Qianlong mark and period vase, each side enamelled with a large lotus head wreathed by feathery foliate scrolls interspersed with beribboned anbaxian emblems, the neck depicting a chime, twin fish and wan symbol, from the collection of Alberto Pasini (1826-99), sold in these rooms, 7th April 2015, lot 3608. This combination of motifs and style of decoration continued into the Daoguang period, as evidenced by a vase of compressed globular form, the long neck flanked by loop handles, sold twice in these rooms, 16th May 1989, lot 309, and again, 2003.
Further Jiaqing vases decorated in a related style include one in the Huahaitang collection, included in the exhibition Ethereal Elegance. Porcelain Vases of the Imperial Qing, Art Museum, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 2007, cat. no. 136; a pair of yellow-ground vases published in Qingdai ciqi jianding, Shanghai, 1994, pl. 247; and a turquoise-ground example offered in these rooms, 8th April 2010, lot 1943.