A BLUE-GROUND FAMILLE-ROSE 'LOTUS' VASE SEAL MARK AND PERIOD OF QIANLONG

the finely potted globular body resting on a raised waisted foot, the neck rising to a slightly flared galleried rim, the main body decorated in a pastel palette of enamels with four uniform composite lotus florets issuing budding tendrils all between upright lappets and a border of ruyi heads around the shoulders, the neck with descending bats suspending a gilt wan symbol over further blooms, applied with relief-moulded mock handles in the form of elephant heads suspending tasseled bianqing, covered in a turquoise glaze to the interior of the mouth and the base save a square panel inscribed with a six-character seal mark in iron-red, zitan stand, incised with the character bing and painted in red jiushi hao (no. 90)

A European collection, by repute.

The vase is in overall good condition with the exception of a glaze flake under the mouthrim on the interior, of triangular shape of 0.9 by 0.5 by 0.5 cm, and an oval glaze flake to the tip of the elephant-head handle of 0.5 by 0.35 cm. Both flakes appear to be related to/have developed from burst bubbles during firing. The gilt paint on the mouthrim is partially worn, while the pink enamel at the foot displays some pulling around the footing.
"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."

This charming vase is a successful synthesis of classical and avant garde Chinese taste with Western decorative styles and techniques. While the lotus scroll, auspicious bat with swastika and ruyi heads are traditional Chinese motifs, the form and colour scheme are innovations that were undoubtedly developed to satisfy the Qianlong Emperor’s taste for the exotic. Such developments at the imperial kilns in Jingdezhen were inspired by painted enamel wares produced in the Enamel Workshop within the Zaobanchu (Imperial Palace Workshop).

The unusual pale blue ground and pastel colours of this vase derive from colours first introduced on metal wares by Jesuit missionary artists working for the Qing court during the Kangxi reign. According to letters written by the French Jesuit artist, Father de Maille, enamelling on metal was possibly first introduced to the Enamel Workshop around 1714-16 and quickly absorbed into the Chinese decorative repertoire. Through the introduction of white enamel by the European missionaries, the famille-rose palette for porcelain was developed in China. The use of gold for the mouth rim and between bands of decoration was a common feature on metal-bodied Beijing enamel ware. Furthermore, the pale blue ground and pastel colour palette were in use from the Kangxi period, as seen on a pair of Kangxi mark and period Beijing enamel vases, sold in these rooms, 17th May 1989, lot 414.

A vase of this form and size, but painted with the anbaxian amongst foliate lotus scrolls against a turquoise ground and stiff leaves encircling the base of the neck, the four-character seal mark of Qianlong painted in gilt, was sold in these rooms, 24th/25th November 1987, lot 182, and again at Christie’s Hong Kong, 3rd December 2008, lot 2566. Compare also vessels decorated in a related colour scheme against a pale blue ground and with gilt-painted rims, with iron red Qianlong seal marks and of the period, such as a Tibetan-style ewer painted with the bajixiang amongst lotus scrolls, sold in our London rooms, 16th June 1998, lot 287; a gu vase with similar decoration, also sold in our London rooms, 8th November 2006, lot 97; and a lobed box and cover, enamelled with a panel of bands of leafy flowers surrounding a central blossom, sold at Christie’s Hong Kong, 30th May 2012, lot 3991.