Une grande et rare flasque en porcelaine famille rose Chine, Dynastie Qing, époque Qianlong (1736-1795)

de forme circulaire, légèrement aplatie à décor émaillé multicolore de fleurs et rinceaux, une grande pivoine rose, entourée de fleurs plus petites sur chaque face -  lotus, hibiscus et pivoine -, l'épaulement et la base à décor de ruyi, les deux anses émaillées rose en forme de dragons, l'intérieur et la base émaillés blanc

Acquis par l'actuel propriétaire chez Sotheby's Hong Kong le 27-28 Avril 1993, lot 217.

A rare presentation piece with an extremely fine decoration. The vase has been inspected under X ray (report available): Some flakes and light scratches to the enamel with repaints on 2 small flower's leaves on the side. An old restoration secured a crack extending vertically from the top of the foot on one side (approx 6cm.). A longer irregular thin crack runs vertically on the other side (approx 15cm). The foot is intact under Xray, now resprayed with the respray extending over each side of the vase. A restoration/respray is also showing under UV on the lion handles, probably on the glaze surface as no structural damage is showing under X ray. The flask would benefit from a modern restoration removing the old over-covering respray. Otherwise an exceptional piece. Please feel free to use the zoom feature on our internet site www.sothebys.com to see better details of the item than on the catalogue photographs.
"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."

Moonflasks decorated in the famille rose palette are rare. This flask is a showpiece for the wide range of colours used by the artists and also a fine example of the very high level of enamelling technique achieved by the Qianlong period in the Imperial kilns at Jingdezhen. The decoration of large blooms that include lotus, hibiscus and peony can be found on earlier, Yongzheng period blue-and-white moon flasks, which may have been the inspiration for the present vessel; for example see one from the collection of the late Dr. Chang Hsi-hai, sold in our New York rooms, 23/24^th May 1971, lot 426, and again, in our Hong Kong rooms, 16^th May 1977, lot 93.

A slightly smaller famille-rose moonflask of related form, attributed to the Qianlong period and painted with stylized peony sprays, with handles of much simpler form, from the collection of Sir Frederick Bruce and his descendant Robert C. Bruce, illustrated in many publications including Soame Jenyns, Later Chinese Porcelain, London, 1951, pl. XC, fig. 1, was sold twice in our London rooms, 12^th May 1953, lot 141, and again, 17^th December 1980, lot 676. 

Compare another smaller Qianlong famille-rose moonflask of closely related form decorated with the sanduo motif, illustrated in Geng Baochang, Ming Qing ciqi jianding, Hong Kong, sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 8^th November 1982, lot 204, and again at Christie's Hong Kong, 8^th October 1990, lot 525, from the collection of the Tsui Museum of Art, Hong Kong (Fig.2)