A PAIR OF CLOISONNE ENAMEL AND GILT-METAL OCTAGONAL JARDINIERES QING DYNASTY, QIANLONG PERIOD

each of octagonal form raised on eight splayed bracket feet with gently curving sides everting sharply at the rim, each face decorated in cloisonné enamels with a pair of confronting archaistic kui dragons, their eyes picked out in red, all reserved on a deep lapis-lazuli blue ground, below a keyfret band at the flat rim, the underside with scattered prunus blossoms and opening buds against a turquoise ‘cracked-ice’ ground, the interior inset with a gilt-metal liner

From the Collection of Lord Loch of Drylaw. 
From the Collection of Alfred Morrison (1821-1897). 
From the Collection of Lord Margadale of Islay (Fonthill House).
Christie’s London, 9^th November 2004, lot 35. 

Upon first inspection, the two jardinières appear to look unusually restrained in its decoration for this period.  The colors have been reduced to two similar shades of blue and a touch of red. However, the underside with the 'cracked-ice' and prunus decoration on turquoise ground is typical of this period.  It is rare to find cloisonné pieces combining both moderation and excess on one piece.