A RARE AND LARGE FAMILLE-ROSE CANTON ENAMEL TRAY QING DYNASTY, QIANLONG PERIOD

of rectangular form, finely and brightly enamelled to the central panel with a pair of long-tailed crested birds perched on rockwork issuing chrysanthemum, roses, magnolia and peony, to the side stand a pair of ducks and overhead fly a pair of small birds, all reserved on a plain white ground within a puce foliate band, the rounded rim with a lotus-meander band reserving four quatrefoil panels enclosing fruiting and flowering sprays, the exterior with a two large finger citron reserved on a white ground, all within a cracked-ice band at the rim

This large and impressive tray is in good condition with the exception of some over-painting to the front face: 3 x 3 x 2cm., section of the inside edge of the frame (top right corner), a 2cm., wide section extending 26cm., towards the left from the edge of the frame and vertically 10cm., up the width of the frame (bottom right corner), a 10 x 1.5cm., bottom edge section of the floral panel on the frame (middle left), enamel flaking to the inner edge of the frame (left side); to the back, a 3 x 5cm., section of the frame (bottom left corner), a 13 x 15cm., area of the frame (top right corner), a 21 x 2cm., band along the outside edge of the white panel (middle right), a 7x3cm., area of the white ground (middle bottom edge), a 6cm., diam., area of the white ground (left of fruit), a 6 x 1cm., line through the green fruit, a 9 x2cm., area of white (upper right outer edge of panel), a 4cm., diam., area of white (upper left side), an 8 x 2.5cm., section of the outer frame (upper left side), an 8 x 2cm., section of white ground (top middle), light crazing and light scratches to both the front and back.
"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 piece is notable for its large size, the broad surface of which has been delicately rendered with a rich scene of birds. Compare a tray of smaller rectangular size and painted with flowers, sold at Christie’s London, 15th June 1999, lot 123. A lobed tray, in the Royal Scottish Museum, Edinburgh, was included in the International Exhibition of Chinese Art, Royal Academy of Arts, London, 1935, cat. no. 2202; and another was sold at Christie’s London, 15th May 2007, lot 408. See also a much smaller example, from the collection of J.A. Lloyd Hyde, included in the exhibition Chinese Painted Enamels, The China Institute in America, New York, 1969, cat. no. 13, and sold at Christie’s London, 8th July 1974, lot 208; and another sold at Christie’s London, 17th November 1980, lot 19.