An unusual famille-rose vase, meiping Qing Dynasty, Yongzheng Period

robustly potted with a short narrow neck set on high broad shoulders tapering sharply to a slightly flared foot, vividly painted in famille-rose enamels with a scene on a lotus pond, with a pair of birds, one in flight, the other perched on a water reed, a pair of mandarin ducks swimming, and butterflies fluttering in the air, all amid two types of lotus flowers - orange and pink - in full bloom amid insect-eaten leaves, water weeds and grasses, the base left unglazed

Strathgarry House, Killiecrankie, Perthshire, Scotland.

The base has a faint 6 cm star crack and some minor glaze fritting around the edge of the foot. The enamelling has only a few areas of minor loss and the surface has just a few light scratches. The overall condition is still quite good.
"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 present meiping is a rare example of Yongzheng vessels decorated with the motif of flowers, birds and butterflies in this painterly fashion. No other similar example appears to be recorded, although elements of the design can be found on vases of different forms; for example see a square vase painted in the famille rose palette with the flowers of the four seasons, including the lotus, illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum. Porcelains with Cloisonne Enamel Decoration and Famille Rose Decoration, Hong Kong, 1999, pl. 49. See also a Yongzheng mallet-form vase decorated with flower sprays and butterflies included ibid., pl. 78; and a yuhuchun ping similarly painted with a continuous lotus pond scene, illustrated ibid., pl. 48.

The details of the composition seen on this piece, such as the veins of the leaves that have been chewed around by insects, are meticulously executed, while the colours showing the full range of the famiile rose palette, are brilliant. The naturalistic painting style, with subtle colour gradations and carefully observed butterflies hovering lightly in mid-air, reveals the impact of Western stylistic concepts that were first introduced by Jesuit painters working in the Palace and later extended to enamelling at the kilns in Jingdezhen. By combining Western painting traditions with traditional and highly-auspicious Chinese motifs, porcelain painters were able to expand their repertoire to create unique pieces such as the present vase. See also a highly unusual bowl with similarly painted butterflies, of Yongzheng reign mark and of the period, sold in our Paris rooms, 12th June 2008, lot 88.

This vase illustrates the Chinese expression 'butterflies in love with flowers' (dielianhua), which symbolises love, joy and good fortune, while the lotus plants and mandarin ducks represent purity and the wish for a blissful marriage respectively.