A basse-taille enamel 'longevity' jardinière, Qing dynasty, Qianlong period

The present jardinière is emblematic of the blending of European and Chinese aesthetics that dominated court art under the illustrious reign of the Qianlong Emperor (r. 1736-1795). A closely related jardiniere of blue enamel bands and red paste stones is preserved in the Qing Court Collection at the National Palace Museum, Taipei (accession no. 故琺000398), and similarly features auspicious gilt decoration of shou ('Longevity') characters. Also compare a jardinière sold in our New York rooms, 21st September 2022, lot 350.