A FINE AND RARE BEIJING ENAMEL WATERPOT QIANLONG SEAL MARK AND PERIOD

the tapering ovoid body painted to the exterior with insects interspersed amongst millet and leafy floral sprays including peony, magnolia, lotus, camellia and orchid, encircled with a ruyi band above and a lappet band below, all reserved on a rich yellow ground, the interior enamelled turquoise, bound with gilt-metal at the rim and foot, the white base inscribed with a four-character seal mark, Japanese wood box

A European Private Collection.

This water pot is in good condition, but there is some touching up/minor restoration to the enamel below the rim and to the exterior base just beside the footrim. There is cracking to the interior base to one side and a raised area of enamel. There is surface scratches to the base and the sides and areas of surface dirt to the interior. There are also numerous areas of minor brown spotting to the yellow ground to the exterior.
"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."

The present waterpot is exceptional for the quality of the workmanship and exquisite painting, and is amongst the finest vessels produced by court artists employed in the Imperial Workshop during the reign of the Qianlong emperor. The flowers and insects are naturalistically rendered, with careful attention paid to the smallest detail. This type of decoration represents the emperor's fascination with nature, as well as his penchant for traditional flower and insect paintings.

 For related butterflies and flowers see a ewer in the collection of the National Palace Museum, Taipei, illustrated in Enamel Ware of the Ming and Ch'ing Dynasties, Taipei, 1999, pl. 114. Compare also the butterflies, floral sprays and insects rendered on a cover included ibid., pl. 131; and on an enamelled box, from the Qing Court collection and still in Beijing, published in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum. Metal-bodied Enamel Ware, Hong Kong, 2002, pl. 210.