A RARE PAIR OF CINNABAR LACQUER 'DAJI' DOUBLE GOURD WALL APPLIQUES QING DYNASTY, QIANLONG PERIOD

each wooden panel carved and lacquered as a double gourd vase and stand, the upper and lower lobes centred with a gilt-bronze ruyi-head medallion enclosing da and ji characters respectively, encircled by deeply carved baijxiang and leafy lotus scrolls, tied at the waist with a large gilt bow centred with a large lacquer bat, a ruyi, archaistic stone chime and a double-crescent halberd issue from the waisted neck, the reverse lacquered black

Sotheby's London, 13th July 2005, lot 112.

As illustrated: both plaques are in good overall condition with the exception of the following small areas of repair and re-freshing to the red lacquer and gilded decoration: left plaque; including, restoration to 5cm., of the ruyi sceptre shaft and small areas of the head, re-freshing to the thin red lacquer band running all around the edge of the double gourd, restoration to a vertical line running through the left side of the lower bulb, re-freshing or repair to small sections of the gilded decoration on the ribbon at the left and right side of the centre of the gourd and restoration to a circa 10cm. wide section of the right side of the base: the right plaque; including repair or refreshing to the gilded decoration at either side of the halberd and tothe ribbon attached to the halberd, restoration and associated minor loss to a circa 3cm., crescent shaped area to the left side of the upper bulb, restoration to one of the Buddhist emblems at the left side of the lower bulb, restoration around the bottom edge and sides of the foot and stand and similar re-freshing to the thin red lacquer band running all around the edge of the double gourd.
"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."

Remarkable for the intricately carved elaborate design and impressive size, a related single example was sold in our New York rooms, 23^rd March 2004, lot 501. Compare a wall vase of similar double gourd form and carved with da and ji medallions, but on a dense chrysanthemum ground, in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, illustrated in Edward Strange, Catalogue of Chinese Lacquer, London, 1925, pls. 15 and 21. For a carved lacquer double gourd vase, similarly decorated with a ba and ji  medallion surrounded by the bajixiang and lotus scroll, see one in the Palace Museum, Beijing, published in Carved Lacquer in the Palace Museum, Beijing, 1985, pl. 289.  

Daji wall vases and plaques were also produced in porcelain; for example, see a daji hanging vase in the Shanghai Museum, included in Selected Ceramics from the Collection of Mr. and Mrs. J.M. Hu, Shanghai, 1989, pl. 70.