AN EXTREMELY RARE 'FAMILLE-ROSE' MONTEITH QING DYNASTY, QIANLONG PERIOD

after a European silver shape, of oval form supported on four claw and ball feet, the crenelated rim flanked by lion-mask and ring handles, boldy painted to the interior in a vivid 'famille-rose'  palette, with a pheasant perched amongst luxuriant flowers and foliage, the exterior similarly decorated with full blown peony sprays

Sotheby's London, 16th December 1969, lot 176.
Sotheby's London, 6th November 1973, lot 215.

The enamels of this monteith are really spectacular, and do not dissappoint in real life. However, generally in very good condition, except for very minor flaking to some green leaves to the exterior around one peony bloom. And typical minor friting to the glaze of one nose of the lion-mask handles.
"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."

Two-handled monteith, which according to Jan Wirgin in K'ang-hsi Porcelain: Selected Objects from Swedish Collections, Kungsbacka, 1974, p. 81, derive their shape from English silver and were named after an excentric Scotsman called 'Monsieur Monteith', who wore the bottom of his cloak notched in a similar fashion, are rarely decorated in the famille-rose palette and the present example appears to be the only one recorded. Examples can be found painted in the famille-verte enamels; for example see a pair from the collection of Karl XV and currently in the Museum of Far Eastern Antiquities, Stockholm, illustrated ibid., pls. 34-36; another formerly in the collection of Mrs. Harry Payne Bingham, and now in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, included in Sekai toji zenshu, vol. 15, Tokyo, 1983, pl. 348; and a fourth vessel, from the collection of M. Serge Blazy, illustrated in Michel Beurdeley, Porcelaine de la Compagnie des Indes, Paris, 1974, cat.no. 52.

A pair of famille-verte monteith, included in the exhibition Porcelanas Compania de las Indias, Museo National de Arte Decorativo, Buenos Aires, 1969, cat.no. 153 and 154, pl. XLV, was sold at Christie's London, 16th December 1996, lot 293, and again in these rooms, 13th July 2005, lot 233; and another single vessel, 19th June 2002, lot 126.