A LARGE TURQUOISE-GROUND FAMILLE-ROSE 'DRAGON' VASE SEAL MARK AND PERIOD OF QIANLONG |

sturdily potted with an ovoid body rising from a splayed foot to a waisted neck and galleried rim, the neck flanked by a pair of archaistic pink-ground stylised mythical beast handles, the exterior of the vessel brightly painted with varying enamels with nine scaly five-clawed dragons, including two main ones in iron red, all amidst flaming wisps against a turquoise ground diapered with waves, all between bands of ruyi and lappet bands, the rim and foot encircled with bands of key-fret, the latter further skirted with a floral border, the turquoise base centred with a six-character iron-red seal mark against a white ground

A Belgian private collection.

The vase has been impacted and there is a crack extending from the base approximately half of the lower body. There is other minor surface wear and rubbing to the gilding.
"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."

Brightly enamelled with nine ferocious scaly five-clawed dragons writhing above turquoise waves, this sumptuous vase is a striking display of the virtuosity of the craftsmen working during the Qianlong period in both its massive size and decoration. It is rare to find Qianlong mark and period vases of such large size and only a small number appear to have been published, all with elaborate archaistic handles and different decoration; a coral-ground version enclosing figural panels on the body and neck, in the Palace of Fontainebleau, is illustrated in situ in Le Musée chinois de l’impératrice Eugénie, Paris, 1986, p. 24; another, also painted with figural panels against a turquoise ground, was sold at Christie’s New York, 14th September 2017, lot 748; and a third, decorated with a continuous landscape scene, reputedly from the collection of Jaap Nieuwenhuis, was sold in our New York rooms, 12th September 2018, lot 156. See also a smaller tianqiuping similarly painted with nine dragons against a turquoise wave ground, sold in these rooms, 8th October 2010, lot 2700.