Rare paire de vases double-gourde en laque polychrome incisée et dorée Dynastie Qing, XVIIIE siècle

décorés de huit cartouches aux bordures formées de ruyi, encerclant les huit symboles auspicieux bouddhistes, en réserve sur fond de papillons volant parmi des rinceaux chargés de melons, au-dessus d'une bande de ruyi stylisés encadrant des lotus, le col et le pied incisés de palmes (2)

Chinesische Lackkunst. Eine deutsche Privatsammlung, Museum für Lackkunst, Münster, 30th May - 29th August 2010, no. 55.
Lack – Meisterwerke chinesischer Handwerkskunst des 12. bis 18. Jhdts., Museum fuer Angewandte Kunst, Frankfurt, 19th May - 29th August 2011.
In Lack getränkt. Eine deutsche Privatsammlung chinesischer Lackkunst, Museum für Asiatische Kunst, 5th October 2012 - 13th January 2013. 

Patricia Frick, Chinesische Lackkunst. Eine deutsche Privatsammlung, Muenster, 2010, cat. no. 55. 

Both vases are heavy and are made of wood covered with a layer of gesso to hold the thick layers of black and red lacquer. They may have been made in segments/halves. Both vases are in overall good condition. One vase has a ca. 2cm wide area of loss to the lacquer along the rim of the foot, as well as other areas that have been retouched. There is a ca. 5cm wide area to the foot extending into the lower part of the body that appears to have been restored/retouched. On the second vase, there are small areas of retouching across the body and vertical lines are visible as crackling through the lacquer which may have been retouched at a later date. There is a tiny, ca. 0.5cm area of loss to the lacquer on the body. Overall the colours are less vivid and more subtle than the catalogue illustration suggests.
"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."