A 'FAMILLE-ROSE' YELLOW-GROUND VASE SEAL MARK AND PERIOD OF JIAQING

of ovoid form rising to a tall flared neck with a trumpet shaped mouth, the body painted on the front and back with an organic array of flowers including peonies, narcissus, nandina berries, asters, and lingzhi fungus issuing from around a garden rock,  set between formal lotus scrolls reserved on a yellow ground on the neck and around the foot, the neck further flanked by a pair of small loop ear-shaped handles

Apart from a short hairline on the rim, the overall condition is very good. There is just a little wear to the gilding around the rim and the foot.
"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."

In its shape and decoration the present vase belongs to a group of wares produced at the imperial kilns at Jingdezhen during the early years of the Jiaqing Emperor's reign. Wares of this period continued to be influenced by Qianlong designs and were most probably made by the same potters who were involved with manufacturing pieces for the Qianlong emperor and his household. The very fine and meticulous painting of the flower motif is reminiscent of contemporary scroll paintings, with the yellow-ground design on the neck and around the foot serving as borders for the decoration. By turning the vase the design slowly unfolds as a continuous scene.

No other similar vase appears to be recorded, although the painting of the flowers seen on the present piece is comparable with that found on a lime-ground famille-rose Jiaqing vase illustrated in Sotheby's Thirty Years in Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 2003, pl. 363, and sold in these rooms, 29th October 2001, lot 611, and again at Christie's Hong Kong, 29th May 2007, lot 1378. See also a Jiaqing mark and period vase of related form but painted with the scene of the 'Eight Immortals', from the Delphine Duchange collection, sold in these rooms, 8th April 2007, lot 502.

The form of this vase is also inspired by earlier Qianlong shapes; for example see a Qianlong vase with handles painted with the design of 'One Hundred Boys' sold in these rooms, 1st November 1999, lot 399.