A FINE AND RARE SLIP DECORATED TURQUOISE-GLAZED DOUBLE VASE SEAL MARKS AND PERIOD OF QIANLONG

each vase of flattened baluster form, with a slightly tapering sides rising from a short foot to a waisted neck and a rounded square rim, conjoined at the shoulder, finely painted in white slip enamel beneath a bluish-green glaze, the larger vase with a lotus wreathed by feathery leaves below a shou character, set between a frieze of ruyi and key-fret at the shoulder and upright lappets skirting the foot, the neck decorated with flower sprays under a gilt mouth rim, the smaller vase similarly painted with a single hibiscus bloom borne on leafy scrolls above upright lappets and "C" motifs around the foot, below a tasseled hibiscus and a frieze of ruyi collaring the gilt mouth rim, conjoined at the shoulder with the smaller vase slightly in front, the bases with a white panel enclosing an iron-red four-character seal mark

The overall condition is very good with only some light rubbing to the gilding around the mouthrim.
"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."

It is rare to find the delicate lace-like decoration of white enamel over a turquoise ground on Qianlong vessels. A shallow bowl decorated with bats amongst a lotus scroll, in the Nanjing Museum, Nanjing, is illustrated in the Official Kiln Porcelain of the Chinese Qing Dynasty, Shanghai, 2003, p. 265; and a tall ovoid vase, with a six-character iron-red Qianlong reign mark and of the period, was offered at Christie's Hong Kong, 29^th April 2002, lot 671. For a similarly decorated Jiaqing mark and period triple gourd vase see one in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, illustrated in Liu Lian-yu, Ch'ing Official and Popular Wares, Taipei, 1991, p. 252 (top left); a vase of globular form and long neck flanked by handles, from the Weishaupt collection, included in the exhibition From the Dragon's Treasure, Museum fur Kunsthandwerk, Frankfurt Museum, 1987, cat. no. 17; and another globular bottle vase, from the Alfred Morrison collection and the Fonthill Heirlooms, sold at Christie's London, 9^th November 2004, lot 54.

See a Qianlong conjoined vase of related form, but of slightly smaller size and decorated with lotus scrolls on a yellow and pink ground on the small and larger bottles respectively, sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 27^th November 2007, lot 1768a.