A LARGE 'HUNDRED DEER' VASE QIANLONG SEAL MARK AND PERIOD

of hu form and generous proportion, the sides painted with a continuous scene of a herd of deer in a mountainous landscape setting, predominantly in tones of brown with carefully drawn fur, many of the deer spotted in white and a few with pure lightly dappled white coats, some resting or grazing, others gamboling, one drinking from a stream and two shown with horns locked in playful contest, several partially hidden by the foliage and twisted trunks of pine, spruce and other trees including two fruiting peach trees rising from rockwork enameled in shaded tones of blue and green, the shoulder set with a pair of archaistic dragon handles in iron-red with gilt details

Acquired by the present owner's father, a native of Georgia stationed in China, as a present for his bride on the occasion of their wedding in Shanghai in 1948.

There is a bruise crack on the upper and interior rim approximately 1 in. by 1 in. Otherwise, in good condition with some minor burst air bubbles on the handles.
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.

The 'Hundred Deer' motif was a popular theme during the Ming and Qing dynasty. According to Terese Tse Bartholomew in Hidden Meanings in Chinese Art, San Francisco, 2006, p. 110, 'hundred deer' (bailu) is homophonous with 'hundred emoluments' and represents the wish 'may you receive the hundred emoluments from heaven'. The deer is also symbolic of longevity since it is the only animal capable of finding the lingzhi fungus of immortality.

Vases of this form and design can be found in various museums and esteemed collections. Compare a similar vase in the Palace Museum collection illustrated in The Complete Works of Chinese Ceramics: Qing (Part II), Shanghai, 1999 - 2000, pl. 17. See also another vase formerly in the British Rail Pension Fund collection and subsequently sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 16th May 1989, lot 89: also the example sold in these rooms, 15th September, 2010, lot 251, where the scenes on each side were executed in mirror image to the present example.