A RARE 'FAMILLE-ROSE' GARNITURE OF FIVE VASES QING DYNASTY, YONGZHENG PERIOD

comprising: three baluster jars and covers and two beaker vases, each of moulded panelled octagonal form with panels painted with ladies at leisure in garden landscapes and birds amongst flowers and foliage, reserved against a diaper ground scattered with peony and prunus blossom, the domed covers similarly decorated, each with a seated lion-dog biscuit knop, with traces of original gilding

From left to right in catalogue photograph Baluster Vase 1 Cover: the lion dog is missing its tongue, one canine and both ears. There are a few minor chips to the curly hair, and six small rim frits to the edge, max. 1 cm long. Vase: some loss to green and white enamels, mainly to flowers and foliage on the ground design. Minor chips (max. 1 cm long) to the interior of the neck where the cover rests. Beaker Vase 1 6 minor chips/frits to the rim, some breaking iron red key-fret border, the largest of which measures approx. 12 mm. A minor firing fault around the centre knop to the interior of the vase; some irregular tears and hairlines visible to the exterior, approx. 2 cm long and interior slightly stained. Baluster Vase 2 Cover: lion dog re-attached and one earlobe chipped. Hairline crack from rim to dome, approx. 13 cm. Some minor enamel loss, particularly to white and pink flowers. One small chip to rim and one small scale-chip (less than 5 mm). Triangular section (3 cm) possibly re-stuck on interior of cover. Vase: minor fritting to neck in four areas, the largest measuring 1.5 cm. Some minor flaking to enamels, especially to turquoise enamel of one bird and to white flowers. Beaker Vase 2 On approx. 40% of the rim, the glaze is fritted, exposing the body. Largest continuous area affected: one side (approx. 10 cm). Baluster Vase 3 Cover: one ear of lion-dog knop chipped and some minor fritting to white enamel of the cover. Vase: minor burst air bubbles to rim. Some minor losses to turquoise enamels to birds, blue cloud scrolls, white flowers, and to the blue enamel of the long-tail pheasant (less than 2 mm). Despite the minor condition problems outlined above, this is an exceptional garniture. It should be noted that the enamels are fresher and of greater clarity than the catalogue photographs suggest, including the detail photograph on p.143.
"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."

Magnificent garnitures of this type were made to decorate the interiors of palaces and mansions from the late Kangxi period. The number of vessels in a garniture varied and could be as many as seven or more pieces depending on the desired decorative effect. However, five piece garnitures, usually comprising of three jars and two beaker vases, were most popular and can be found in important royal collections.

The present garniture is exceptional for its well preserved condition with the decoration in the famille-rose palette especially vivid and rich. A relared garniture similarly comprising of five pieces was sold in these rooms, 6th May 1986, lot 202; and a pair of octagonal jars, possibly part of a garniture, painted in a similar manner were sold at Christie's London, 12th March 1986, lot 209.  

For examples of garnitures in museum collections see one, from the collection of Augustus the Strong, illustrated in Eva Strober, La Maladie de Porcelaine, Leipzig, 2001,  pl. 40, in the kinrande palette; and another famille-rose five piece garniture published in Maria Antonia Pinto de Matos, Chinese Porcelain in the Calouste Gulbenkian Collection, n.p., 2000, pl. 56, formerly in the Escolani Palace, Bolonha. A third garniture, in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, from the bequest of Benjamin Altman, is included in Suzanne G. Valenstein, A Handbook of Chinese Ceramics, New York, 1989, pls. 271-275.  

Augustus the Strong's garniture collection can be seen in situ at the Johanneum, before 1918, illustrated in Eva Stober (et.al), China. Japan. Meissen. The Dresden Porcelain Collection, Dresden, 2006, p.4.