A FAMILLE-ROSE ‘ONE HUNDRED DEER' PLAQUE QING DYNASTY, QIANLONG PERIOD

finely painted with a wondrous mountainous landscape dotted with deer painted brown, red and some with spotted fur, accompanied by cranes, all frolicking amidst pine trees and lingzhi, the panel inset in a wood frame, the reverse decorated in black and red lacquers with gilt highlights of a descending archaistic bat suspending a gourd-shaped pendant of confronted fish above clusters of peaches issuing from gnarled branches entwined with lotus flowers, surrounded by bats swooping among swirling clouds, all against the brown lacquer ground

The plaque is in overall good condition with just enamel flakes, especially to the powder blue decorations. There are also original kiln specks. The panel was inspected without being removed from its frame.
"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."

Porcelain wares painted with the ‘hundred deer’ motif carry a highly auspicious message, as the words for deer and good fortune (lu) are homophonous, and the deer as well as the pine and crane are all symbols of longevity. Furthermore the whole scene is emblematic of the Qianlong emperor’s personal rulership. Wares painted with the motif were produced from the early years of his reign, possibly made to coincide with the re-institution of the imperial hunt, a practice introduced by his grandfather, the Kangxi emperor. From the third year of Kangxi's reign onwards (1738), he organised regular hunts in the imperial hunting preserve at Mulan near Chengde in Rehe (Jehol), northeast of Beijing, whose wooded hills were renowned for their rich stock of deer. Court painters were regularly ordered to Mulan to record the imperial hunts, and it is precisely this scenery that seems to be depicted on ‘hundred deer’ or 'hundred fortunes’ wares, such as this plaque.

While this motif is more commonly found on large hu-shaped vases, it is also found on a plaque sold in these rooms, 29th November 1977, lot 174; and another sold in our London rooms, 19th October 1973, lot 419.