A FAMILLE-ROSE RUBY-GROUND ALTAR VASE, GU SEAL MARK AND PERIOD OF QIANLONG

the central globular section surmounted by a tall trumpet neck and supported on a high domed foot, brightly enamelled with the ba jixiang interspersed with floral strapwork and reserved on a rich ruby-red ground, all between key-fret, lotus-lappet and ruyi bands at the base and rim, the interior and base glazed turquoise

A similar yellow-ground altar vase of Qianlong mark and period from the Nanjing Museum was included in the exhibition Qing Imperial Porcelain, Art Gallery, Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1995, cat.no.95. Compare also a pair of smaller gu alter wares in famille-rose enamels, from the Yokogawa collection, included in the Illustrated Catalogue of Tokyo National Museum. Chinese Ceramics, vol. II, Tokyo, 1990, cat.no. 678; and a pair of pink-ground vases, also with peony scroll design, sold in these rooms, 11th June 1991, lot 218.