A RARE CANTON ENAMEL FAMILLE-ROSE AND GRISAILLE 'LANDSCAPE' TEAPOT QING DYNASTY, 18TH / 19TH CENTURY, DATED TO THE XINCHOU YEAR

of globular form, set with a curved gilt-bronze spout issuing from a gilt makara head and a tall arched handle reticulated along its edge, finely decorated around the body with four 'grisaille' panels within lobed borders below a collar of blue-veined ruyi, all reserved a yellow ground picked out with floral scrolls, each panel depicting a recluse in a landscape and variously signed with red seal, one dated to the xinchou year (in accordance with 1781 or 1841), the handle and neck picked out with lime green key-fret, the domed cover similarly decorated and set with a bud finial, the interior and base enamelled white

The teapot is in very good overall condition and the enamels have been well preserved, except for a repaired flake of approx. 1.1 by 1.3 cm to the exterior rim of the cover. There is some wear to the gilding to the tip of the spout and some soiling to the white ground of the lobed panels (showing on 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."

Ewers of this form and decoration with panels enclosing landscape scenes painted solely in black enamel are rare. Only one other related Qianlong dated example, in the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford, appears to be published, included in the Museum’s exhibition Chinese Painted Enamels, Ashmolean Museum, Oxford, 1978, cat. no. 40.

The use of back enamel, which allows the creation of landscapes that closely follows the tradition of Chinese ink paintings, probably derive from European grisaille and sepia wares brought to the Qing court by Jesuit missionaries. This technique became increasingly popular during the Yongzheng (1723-1735) and Qianlong (1736-1795) reigns, when it was applied mainly on porcelain ware.