A RARE PAIR OF CLOISONNÉ ENAMEL VASES QING DYNASTY, QIANLONG PERIOD

each of square section, the tapering body rising from a spreading foot to a stepped shoulder, waisted neck and galleried rim, applied with two gilt-bronze dragon handles and decorated to the front and back face with stylized peony and inlaid 'Da Ji' characters between descending and ascending bats, the side panels similarly decorated with peony, the shoulder with bands of shield-shaped panels of ruyi  and stylised lotus, below a band of ascending leaves at the neck and key-fret to the rim

Both vases with minor losses and infills to the enamels, predominantly to the flared neck, stepped foot, and along the edges of the vases. The original inlays of the daji characters are lost and replaced. The bases may be later replacements. There are general small dents, surface wear and pinpricks to the enamels, and slight wear to the gilding. One vase with one end of the dragon handle broken and restuck. The base of the other is loose.
"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."

In its combination of a square-section form with the auspicious decoration, these vases reveal the broad level of experimentation and freedom of the craftsmen to exercise artistic freedom under the Qianlong emperor as long as it adhered to his taste. Only another pair of closely related vases appears to have been published, in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, illustrated in the Museum’s website, accession number 509-1875.

 

The characters da ji, meaning ‘Great luck’, are more commonly found on vessels of double gourd form; such as a pair of wall plaques sold in these rooms, 13^th May 1988, lot 657; and a painted enamel double gourd vase, included in the exhibition Tributes from Guangdong to the Qing Court, Art Gallery, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 1987, cat. no. 43. For panels decorated with double-gourd vases containing the characters da ji, see one, the enamel vase surrounded by strands of long pearl tassels, sold in these rooms, 12^th June 1990, lot 129; and another sold at Christie’s London, 9^th November 2010, lot 7878.