A FINE AND RARE PAIR OF 'FAMILLE-ROSE' 'EIGHT DAOIST IMMORTALS' JARS AND COVERS Qianlong iron-red seal marks and period

each exquisitely painted around the cylindrical body with the 'Eight Daoist Immortals Crossing the Sea', riding on their respective vehicles on finely combed waves, each holding an attribute and some standing in a windswept stance, the scene set between ruyi-head borders outlined in blue and white enamel, filled with a sgraffiato ruby-ground decorated with two registers of scrolling lotus, the short straight foot and neck painted with keyfrets in blue enamel, each a mirror-image of the other, surmounted by domical covers matching the ruby-red decoration and filled with yellow-ground around the rim, finished with a lotus-bud finial, the interiors and base glazed turquoise, gilding around the rims and foot (4)

Christie's Hong Kong, 31st March 1992, lot 656.
Christie's Hong Kong, 1st May 1995, lot 675.
Thereafter with the present owner.

One jar is in good overall condition, with strong ruby-ground enamels. One tiny and shallow chip to the turquoise glaze on the interior of the mouth. Minor 1 1/4 inch surface scratch to the Immortal riding on the donkey. Some of the blue enamel on the bottom ruyi lappets slightly misfired. The other jar has old restoration to an approximately 1/2 inch chip on the rim. Some of the white enamel on the bottom and top ruyi lappets were slightly misfired. Very minor wear to the surface. One of the covers has been restored and has discolored, particularly the interior turquoise glaze. Some repainting to the enamels. The other cover is in excellent condition.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

The jars depict the Eight Daoist Immortals as they cross the rough sea after attending the peach festival of the Queen Mother of the West. Rather than traveling by their clouds, they combined their powers to sail pass the tempest. The proverb is a lesson on how individual strengths and gifts can be used to tackle the same obstacle.

Only one Qianlong seal mark and period vessel of lantern shape and featuring the Immortals at sea appears to have been sold at auction, in our Hong Kong rooms, 9th November 1982, lot 302. Though larger than the present examples and with a taller waisted neck, it follows the same format of ruyi-head lappets bordering the scene of the figures.

A baluster vase, also Qianlong seal mark and period, in the Qing Court collection features the Immortals on land celebrating the Queen Mother's birthday. The scene is set between green-enamel grounds decorated with scrolling lotus at the neck and the foot. See Porcelains with Cloisonne Enamel Decoration and Famille Rose Decoration: The Complete Treasure of the Palace Museum, Hong Kong, 1999, p. 120, p. 157. A covered Qianlong seal mark and period jar of similar shape and palette featuring boys at play, also in the Qing Court collection, is illustrated in op.cit., pl. 128, p. 146.