A FINELY ENAMELLED PAIR OF CLOISONNÉ ENAMEL AND GILT-METAL BOXES AND COVERS QING DYNASTY, QIANLONG PERIOD

each of circular section with shallow curved sides and a fitted domed cover, all raised on a low foot and decorated against a turquoise ground, the exterior with meandering curling tendrils bearing delicate multi-coloured blooms, some overlapping in small clusters, the interior with a 'crackled ice' pattern and scattered prunus florets, the foot with a band of 'horse-hoof' motifs

Collection of Lord Loch of Drylaw (1827-1900).
Collection of Alfred Morrison (1821-97), Fonthill House, Tisbury, Wiltshire (no. 643).
Christie's London, 9th November 2004, lot 26.

Good condition. The enamels are in good condition. Minor patches of wax infill.
"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 elegant pair of boxes, carefully decorated with equal level of attention to the interior and exterior with floral blooms, is likely to have been created for one of the emperor's consort of a lady at court. A striking contrast and harmony has been achieved through the juxtaposition of flowers against curling scrolls on the interior and an angular 'crackled ice' ground. These boxes are the product of a renewed interest and development of cloisonné enamel during the Qianlong reign which enabled its production to achieve new heights. The technical mastery and significant broadening of the palette to more than twenty opaque colours, some of which are seen in the delicate flower petals, enabled craftsmen to compose designs that were innovative and suited to the extravagant taste of its time.

The present piece is particularly notable for its unusual and challenging use of the metal wires to depict the scrolling vines which resulted in large cloisons. These wires were generally applied to the surface of the metal body, creating cloisons into which coloured enamels were placed and then fired. The piece would then be finished to a smooth surface and the surface of the wires was often gilded to create a rich effect. Small cloisons allowed for ease of control in firing the crushed enamels to ensure an even consistency while large areas required complete mastery in every step of manufacture.

Boxes decorated with this scrolling flower design are rare, although a similar motif of scattered floral blooms is found on a meiping, in the Palace Museum, Beijing, illustrated in the Compendium of Collections in the Palace Museum. Enamels, vol. 3, Cloisonné in the Qing Dynasty, Beijing, 2011, pl. 98, together with other two meiping of similar design, but the tendrils lacking the green-enamelled leaves, pls. 96 and 98. Examples of cloisonné enamel wares employing the 'crackled ice' and flower motif include a large basin, decorated on the underside with this design, sold at Christie's London, 9th November 2010, lot 265, and again in their Hong Kong rooms, 28th November 2012, lot 2223.

The 'prunus on crackled ice' motif on the interior and foot of this box is symbolic of the passing of winter and coming of spring. This decorative design gained much popularity during the Kangxi period, and continued to be used in the Qianlong reign when it was applied on a variety of media, including cloisonné, ceramics and enamelled metal wares. See a painted enamel teapot, with Qianlong mark and of the period, decorated with this motif, in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, illustrated in Masterpieces of Chinese Enamel Ware in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, 1971, pl. 48; a Qianlong mark and period Beijing enamelled vase, in the Palace Museum, Beijing, included in Zhongguo jinyin boli falangqi quanji, vol. 6, Shijiazhuang, 2002, pl. 167; and a coral inlaid and embellished gold box and cover, from the Carl Kempe Collection, sold in these rooms, 11th April 2008, lot 2310.