A FINE AND RARE CLOISONNE ENAMEL TIBETAN-STYLE EWER AND COVER, DUOMUHU QING DYNASTY, 18TH/19TH CENTURY

of cylindrical form divided into two registers by a central applied key-fret band, with a further band at the foot and rim, the lower register decorated with two pairs of opposing qilong dragons in purple and black amongst stylized lotus scrolls on a turquoise ground, the upper register decorated with square archaic dragon panels containing a central shou character, below a lobed low crown rim decorated with further lotus on a sapphire ground, the side with an applied dragon-head scroll handle, opposite the short upturned rounded spout decorated with a lotus scroll on a sapphire ground, the circular cover with rounded knop

Christie's London, 10th June 1974, lot 377.

There is evidence of repair to the applied central key-fret band and to the handle, where it is attached to the body. There is a small repair to the end of the underside of the spout. There is a small dent to the edge of the cover with a small area of related enamel loss.
"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."

Vessels of this form, known as doumuhu, which in Chinese means 'bucket for butter', were used in Tibet for storing butter and for making the traditional buttered tea for Tibetan Buddhist ceremonies. They were originally made of wood with metal bands. The horizontal band seen on this piece echoes the metal band that usually held the wooden butter container together.

For examples of related cloisonne enamel doumuhu see a slightly taller piece illustrated in Helmut Brinker and Albert Lutz, Chinesisches Cloisonne Die Sammlung Piere Uldry, Zurich, 1985, pl. 158; one, from the collection of Miss. A. C. Kemp, published in Sir Harry Garner, Chinese and Japanese Cloisonne Enamels, London, 1962, pl. 64, and later sold in these rooms, 7th May 1963, lot 85; and a third vessel sold in our New York rooms, 21st and 22nd November 2006, lot 99.

Doumuhu were made in different mediums, for example see a faux-bois copy included in the exhibition China. The Three Emperors, The Royal Academy of Arts, London, 2006, cat. no. 55; and a gilded-copper ewer, from the Tibet Museum, Lhasa, included in the exhibition Treasures from Snow Mountains. Gems of Tibetan Cultural Relics, Shanghai Museum, Shanghai, 2001, cat. no. 105.