Petit vase en bronze doré et émaux cloisonnés Chine, Dynastie Qing, marque et époque Qianlong (1736-1795)

délicatement décoré en polychromie de fleurs de lotus et rinceaux feuillagés, sur fond bleu turquoise, la bordure du col en bronze doré, deux petites anses figurant des rouleaux au même motif sur fond bleu marine, marque incisée en relief à la base

Good condition overall, the gilt cloisons are more glittering than the illustration suggests. Some rubbing to the gilding on the rim and foot (showing on the illustration on the catalogue). Two surface dents to one side of the body with flakes of enamel missing (1,5 cm and 2 cm respectively). Weight: 1 kg 202 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."

The shape of this vase is after Song dynasty 'Guan' vessels which were based on ritual bronze prototypes. The Northern Song emperor Huizong (r.1101-25) was a keen collector of both bronze and jade and commissioned ceramic vessels after bronze pieces in his collection. He even ordered the production of an illustrated catalogue of his collection, the Bogu tulu (Illustrated Collection of Antiquities). Interest in archaism remained a strong feature of Chinese connoisseurship and reached its peak during the Qing dynasty under the reign of the Qianlong emperor who amassed a huge collection of ancient art objects as well as archaistic pieces.

It is rare to find cloisonné vessels with a Qianlong reign mark and of the period and no other similar vessel of this globular hu form appears to be recorded. See a cloisonné enamel vase of different proportions and handles included in the exhibition Chinese Decorative Arts from Two Private Collections, Bluett and Sons, London, 1974, cat.no. 75. An earlier vase of hu form, with ring handles, is illustrated in Dr. Gunhild Gabbert Avitabile, Die Ware aus dem Teufelsland, Hannover, 1981, pl. 15.