A RARE GILT-BRONZE MOUNTED CLOISONNE ENAMEL 'HUNDRED DEER ' VASE THE VASE QING DYNASTY, QIANLONG PERIOD, THE MOUNTS LATER

the pear-shaped body rising from a short spreading foot to an everted gilt rim, brightly decorated around the exterior with deer in a rocky landscape with cranes flying amidst ruyi-head cloud scrolls overhead, the shoulder set with a pair of gilt-copper dragon handles, the elaborate gilt-bronze mounts cast and pierced with lion masks to the base and shou characters to the rim

The closionne vase is in very good overall condition with the exception of a very slight depression to areas at the waist, one with a possibly associated 1cm., diam., bruise with minor enamel loss, a 5mm., enamel flake to the lower body, characteristic pitting and minor enamel shrinkage. The base has been drilled and there is rubbing to the gilding on the rims and handles. The elaborate mounts are in good overall condition with the exception of minor rubbing to the gilding.
"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."

Cloisonné vases of this well-known 'Hundred Deer' design are rare, although a related piece was sold in these rooms, 16^th November 1976, lot 52. Compare also examples of this form and design, but with varying decorative bands on the rim and foot; such as a pair of vases sold in these rooms, 7^th November 2007, lot 447; a single vase sold at Christie's New York, 19^th September 2006, lot 111; and another example sold at Christie's London, 6^th November 2007, lot 97.

This vase in its shape and exquisitely composed design compares closely with the 'famille-rose' 'Hundred Deer' vases that are found in many major museums and private collections: see examples from the Qing Court collection, and still in Beijing, illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum: Porcelains with Cloisonné Enamel Decoration and Famille Rose Decoration, Hong Kong, 1999, pl. 85; and a pair and a single vase, in the Shanghai Museum, included in Selected Ceramics from the Collection of Mr. and Mrs. J.M. Hu, Shanghai, 1989, pl. 67, and in Chugoku toji zenshu, vol. 21, Kyoto, 1981, pl. 190.

The deer symbolises immortality and is the companion of Shoulao, the God of Longevity. As the word deer in Chinese, 'lu', is the homophone for the word 'official salary', they also represent wealth and are associated with official and scholarly success. Thus, the 'Hundred Deer' design conveys the wish for great wealth and success. It also represents filial piety, which comes from the folk tale of Zhou Yanzi, the story of a young boy who tries to get milk from a deer to cure his ailing father by wearing deer skin and joining a deer herd.