A RARE PAIR OF CARVED LACQUER 'SHOU' VASES AND STANDS SEAL MARKS AND PERIOD OF JIAQING

each of hexagonal form, finely carved through the layers of red, green and yellow lacquer with four panels enclosing variations of the longevity character shou, all reserved on a floral diaper ground, the rims gilt, the interior and the base lacquered black, the latter inscribed with a gilt six-character seal mark, the matching stands lacquered black and decorated in gold and red with lotus and semi-florets

One vase: There is a 3 by 1 cm chip to the lacquer to the mouth rim, another small chip to the other side of the mouth rim and occasional nicks to the carving. There are a few old chips to the rim of the stand and a couple of flakes to the underside as well as some retouching to the black lacquer. Second vase: There is a small chip to lacquer to the upper right corner of one of the 'shou' panels and further chips to three of the shou characters to the upper right in another panel, as well as a few occasional nicks here and there to the carving. There are chips to two of the angled feet to the underside, and further chips and fritting to the rim of the stand. There is an old label reading 'reign of Kiaching Ta Ching Dynasty' on the underside of both and remains of another illegible old label on the interior.
"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."

Literally translated as ‘One Hundred Longevities’, the baishou motif would have made this pair of vases an ideal birthday gift. This motif, which became particularly popular on porcelain from the Kangxi period (1662-1722) onwards, is rarely found on carved lacquerware from the Jiaqing period, and is more commonly known on Yongzheng (1723-35) and Qianlong (1736-95) examples. See for example a facetted box with a cyclical date corresponding to 1775, the cover inscribed with shou characters, from the Linden-Museum, Stuttgart, included in the Museum’s exhibition Im Zeichen des Drachen. Von der Schönheit Chinesischer Lacke, Museum für Lackkunst, Stuttgart, 2006, cat. no. 87; and a lacquer bowl with Yongzheng mark and of the period painted on the exterior with this motif, from the Qing Court collection and still in Beijing, illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum. Lacquer Wares of the Qing Dynasty, Hong Kong, 2006, pl. 102.