A RARE FAMILLE-ROSE 'SANYANG' VASE JIAQING SEAL MARK AND PERIOD

the rounded body rising from a splayed foot to a waisted shoulder, applied with two elephant handles in iron-red and gilt, painted in bright enamels with two goats standing under a pine tree in a rocky landscape with camellia, with a further recumbent goat, between panels of ruyi and below a central band of keyfret, the shoulder and foot with stylised lotus scrolls on a lime-green ground, the base with a seal mark in iron-red on a turquoise ground, mounted as a lamp

The vase has been cut down at the rim and has been mounted with a bronze lamp fitting and there is a 7cm by 1.5cm area of horizontal repair just below this to one side. There is also a 4mm diameter drill hole to the lower part of the body to one side, with an over 1.1cm area affected.
"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."

The motif of three rams (sanyang) represents a change of fortune with the arrival of Spring and the New Year. The rams are often depicted together with the rising sun (taiyang) to form the auspicious rebus ‘three rams (yang) bring prosperity’. The Yijing [Book of Changes] first mentions the phrase sanyang referring to the three male lines, called tai, that symbolise heaven. The tai is positioned under three female lines called kun that represent earth; hence the phrase sanyang kaitai which expresses the wish for renewal and a change of fortune in the New Year.

Compare a lime-green ground vase with this design, but with Daoguang mark and of the period, sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 11th April 2008, lot 3025; another sold at Christie’s Hong Kong, 2nd December 2015, lot 3229; one with a Shendetang mark sold in our New York rooms, 30th March 2006, lot 354; and a fourth example sold in these rooms, 11th May 2011, lot 283.