A FAMILLE-ROSE FAHUA-TYPE JAR AND COVER QING DYNASTY, QIANLONG PERIOD |

robustly potted with an ovoid body rising to a wide short neck, the exterior exuberantly decorated with applied gilt outlines and brightly enamelled against a deep blue ground, depicting pairs of mandarin ducks swimming amidst a lotus pond with large blooms, broad leaves and arrowheads, below a classic scroll collaring the shoulder, the rim and foot encircled by lappet bands, all surmounted by a similarly decorated domed cover with a bud-shaped finial, the interior and base enamelled turquoise

There is an approx. 6 cm retouched firing hairline from the mouthrim of the jar. The inner rim of the cover has a C-shaped firing crack of approx. 1 cm. Both the jar and the cover have typical flakes to the appliqué, in addition to pulls and minor flakes to the enamels; some tiny areas appear to have been stabilised. There are also expected wear to the gilding. The blue ground is slightly uneven but that is original to the firing.
"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."

It is extremely rare to find a famille-rose jar of this size and quality, decorated in Ming fahua-style, complete with its original cover. However, the decorative style is very close to that on a Qianlong reign-marked famille-rose fahua-style jar from the Qing court collection and still in Beijing, published in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum. Porcelains with Cloisonne Enamel Decoration and Famille Rose Decoration, Hong Kong, 1999, pl. 148.