A VERY RARE FAMILLE-ROSE TURQUOISE MATRIX-GROUND LANTERN VASE WITH FLORAL SPRAYS SEAL MARK AND PERIOD OF QIANLONG

the ovoid body supported on a short foot gently rising to a waisted neck, flaring to a gilt-decorated mouth, the exterior sparsely decorated with leafy sprays of flowers and fruits, including prunus, orchid, peony, lotus, pomegranate, chrysanthemum, rose, hydrangea, aster, camellia, and morning glory, all reserved on a turquoise ground suffused with a dense network of scrolls, the interior of the mouth and the base glazed turquoise, the base inscribed in red with a six-character reign mark

Sotheby's Hong Kong, 28^th November 1979, lot 259.

The vase is slightly slanted. The mouth has a hairline crack of about 2.2 cm, and a 2 by 3.2 cm restoration to the fritting. There are some kiln grits and glaze gaps to the foot. The enamels and gilt decoration are well preserved with only minor surface scratches.
"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."

Boldly enamelled with a ground in imitation of turquoise matrix, the present vase exemplifies the immense variety of styles and innovations explored during the Qianlong period. The Qianlong emperor's predilection for idiosyncratic designs and the development of a large palette of colours allowed porcelain simulations to be created, and these became the trompe-l'oeil of ceramics.

Compare further Qianlong mark and period vases enamelled with a similar ground simulating turquoise matrix, such as a pear-shaped vase decorated with birds and flowers, from the Hebblethwaite collection, sold twice in our London rooms, 2/3^rd December 1974, lot 539, and again, 14^th July 1981, lot 121; an ovoid vase with two landscapes in shaped panels, the turquoise ground scattered with flower sprays, sold in these rooms, 29^th November 1978, lot 323; and another of slightly waster baluster form painted with two landscape panels below two similar vignettes also sold in these rooms, 29^th November 1976, lot 616. See also an ovoid vase decorated with birds on a fruiting peach tree against a related ground, from the John Morrison collection, illustrated in Soame Jenyns, Later Chinese Porcelain, London, 1951, pl. CVIII, fig. 2.