AN INSCRIBED IMPERIAL CLOISONNE ENAMEL BOX AND COVER MARK AND PERIOD OF QIANLONG

the circular box with rounded sides rising from a short spreading foot, finely and brightly polychrome enamelled with lotus strapwork reserved on a turquoise ground, the domed cover similarly decorated, the interior and base gilt, the base inscribed with two horizontal lines Qianlong nianzhi and dou respectively

A number of cloisonne vessels inscribed with an additional character below the reign mark, such as the dou (to present) character found on the base of the present box, have been published and are discussed by Sir Harry Garner in Chinese and Japanese Cloisonne Enamels, London, 1962, p. 92. For example, see a closely related Qianlong mark and period cloisonne box with the additional guang (official) character incised on the base, possibly intended as a mark of commendation, sold in these rooms, 12th June 1990, lot 48. Garner, ibid., p. 92, notes that the 'use of characters in addition to a nian hao seems to be peculiar to cloisonne'. Another small box with cover, with the additional character zhen (gem) below the reign mark, is illustrated in Chinese Cloisonne. The Clague Collection, Phoenix, 1980, pl. 54.

Compare also a box inscribed with a hall name on the base sold in these rooms, 12th July 2006, lot 101; and one similarly decorated with flower scroll design, from the collection of Robert H. Blumenfield, Los Angeles, included in the exhibition A Matter of Taste, Chinese Culture Center of San Francisco, San Francisco, 1986, pl. 71.