A DOUCAI ‘LOTUS’ CANDLESTICK QIANLONG SEAL MARK AND PERIOD

the bell-shaped base rising to a knobbed section supporting a dish tray with an everted rim, surmounted by a tapering columnar neck and a smaller tray on top, the exterior brightly enamelled with large stylised lotus blooms borne on meandering leafy stems, variously divided by ruyi, floral scroll and lappet bands, encircled at the rims and feet by a band of circles, keyfret and chevron borders, the front of the dish tray inscribed with a horizontal six-character seal mark within a double-rectangle

This brightly enamelled candlestick is in good condition with the exception of a small area of overpainting to the rim of the sconce, with two associated hairline cracks that extend down from the rim and around approximately half of the sconce, overpainting to a 7cm., wide section of the rim of the drip tray and minor glaze 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."

Candlesticks of this type were generally created as part of five-piece altar garniture sets, which comprised of a censer, two gu vases and two candlesticks. A set of Qianlong doucai garnitures with closely related decoration, but the candlesticks of smaller size, from the collections of Lord Herbert Kitchener and Sir Thomas Beaumont, was sold twice in these rooms, 17^th December 1980, lot 677, and again, 11^th May 2011, lot 230; and another set was sold in these rooms, 10^th June 1991, lot 196, and again in our Hong Kong rooms, 4^thApril 2012, lot 50, from the Meiyintang collection.

 

The Qianlong emperor was particularly fond of doucai wares made during the Chenghua period (1465-1487) of the Ming dynasty, with its archetypal delicate outlines and polychrome-enamel washes. The beauty of Chenghua porcelain, of which doucai wares were regarded as the most exquisite, was appreciated by Qianlong who regarded them as objects that evoked the glorious past. Candlesticks that belonged to garnitures of this type would have been commissioned by the emperor and reflects his deep appreciation for Chenghua wares by paying homage to one of the greatest eras of history of Chinese ceramics.