Lot 187
  • 187

A MOULDED GOURD ‘FLORAL SCROLLS’ CRICKET CAGE MARK AND PERIOD OF DAOGUANG

Estimate
120,000 - 150,000 HKD
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Description

  • Gourd, ivory and tortoiseshell
the bulbous body with a gradually flaring neck, below a mouthrim mounted with an ivory lip, the exterior moulded with a continuous design of formalised floral scrolls, beneath a band of plantain leaves around the neck, the flat circular base with a four-character reign mark in regular script, the surface with a deep-brown patina, the domed reticulated tortoiseshell cover decorated with a figure in a garden, enclosed within an ivory rim

Literature

Gerard Tsang and Hugh Moss, ‘Chinese Decorated Gourds’, International Asian Antiques Fair, Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 1983, p. 54, no. 6.

Condition

There is some visible age polishing on the exterior and the base. There is a 8 x 5 mm. shallow hole on the upper left corner of the mark (shown in the illustration in the catalogue). There are some age cracks on the ivory rims encircling the reticulated tortoiseshell cover. Otherwise the overall condition is quite good. The actual colour is somewhat darker, more caramel-brown and less orange compared to the illustration in the catalogue.
"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."

Catalogue Note

Gourd carvings rarely bear imperial reign marks making the present example special amongst this group of wares. A very similar cricket cage with a four-character Daoguang mark and of the period is illustrated in Wang Shixiang, ‘Moulded Gourds’, The Oriental Ceramic Society Chinese Translations Number Ten, p. 25, fig. 9, where it is noted that few moulded gourds were produced in the palace after the time of Qianlong, and according to tradition the only palace garden in which gourds were still grown in the reign of the Daoguang emperor was the ‘small garden’ of the Cining Gong ('Palace of Benevolent Peace').

Another Daoguang mark and period cage moulded with a continuous design of swastikas and flowers is included in Gerard Tsang and Hugh Moss, op.cit., pl. 7; and see 15 examples, all attributed to Daoguang’s reign, published in Wang Xixiang, The Charms of the Gourd, Hong Kong, 1993, pls. 71-85, with moulded decorations.