A CLOISONNÉ ENAMEL AND GILT-BRONZE 'PHOENIX'-HANDLED VASE QING DYNASTY, QIANLONG PERIOD

the tall slender body with a central bulbous section rising from a spreading foot to a tall slightly flared neck, the lower neck flanked by a pair of gilt-bronze handles modelled as a phoenix head, each suspending a loose ring from its beak, the central section brightly decorated in cloisonné enamels with stylised taotie masks rendered in scrolls, above stylised mountains and waves encircling the foot, the neck with leafy lotus blooms and gilt-bronze plantain leaves above a sunken gilt-bronze band decorated with raised 'hoof-feet' motifs, all below an angular scroll band bordering the rim

The base is structurally in good condition. Minor bruises, including a 0.8 cm shallow bruise to the mouthrim and a 0.6 cm one to the foot. The point where both handles attach to the body appear to have been strengthened. There are areas of infilling and wax including around the right handle in the catalogue photo.
"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."

A sense of luxuriousness has been created through the lavish phoenix handles that flank this piece. Vases of this type are unusual, and only two other examples appear to have been published, one in the Palace Museum, Beijing, illustrated in Compendium of Collections in the Palace Museum, Enamels, vol. 3, Cloisonné in the Qing Dynasty, Beijing, 2011, pl. 110, possibly the same vase illustrated in situ in the Hall of Fragrance in the Forbidden City, published in Hu Chui, The Forbidden City. Collection of Photographs by Hu Chui, Beijing, 1998, p. 71; and another, of slightly larger size, sold in our London rooms, 4th April 1966, lot 111.