A 'FAMILLE-ROSE' 'ONE HUNDRED DEER' VASE (HU) QIANLONG SEAL MARK AND PERIOD

of archaistic hu form, the generously rounded sides finely painted with a continuous scene of a herd of deer in a mountainous landscape, the stags, bucks, doe, and fawns painted white, red, brown, and sometimes with spotted fur prancing and grazing, all amidst fruiting peach trees, lingzhi, and twisted pine trees, the wide neck set with a pair of stylized iron-red zoomorphic handles with gilt details, the base inscribed with a six-character sealmark in underglaze blue, now drilled through

Sotheby's New York, 21st January 1982, lot 459.
Christie's New York, 5th June 1986, lot 359.

The base has been drilled through the center of the mark with old colored restoration filling the hole. There is a small amount of grit adhereing to the bottom of the footrim. There is some slight typical wear to the surface of the enamel. It is in overall good condition.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Vases of this highly complex and exquisitely composed design can be found in major museums and private collections worldwide; compare an example from the Qing Court collection in the Palace Museum, 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.

The design on this vase is rich with auspicious meaning; in Chinese tradition the deer is symbolic of longevity due to being the only animal capable of finding the lingzhi fungus of immortality, and is thus often depicted with Shoulao, the God of Longevity. 'Hundred deer' (bai lu) is homophonous with hundred emoluments and represents the wish, 'May you receive the hundred emoluments from heaven'.