A CARVED IVORY 'BOYS' VASE QING DYNASTY, QIANLONG PERIOD |

the tapering sides decorated with a band of archaistic geometric scrolls above lappets around the foot and a ruyi band to the shoulders, the waisted neck with stiff plantain leaves flanked by a pair of animal mask handles suspending loose rings, carved in high relief around the base with four young children

Collection of Sir Ellice Victor Sassoon (1881-1961).
Sotheby's London, 16th May 2012, lot 49.

S.E. Lucas, The Catalogue of Sassoon Chinese Ivories, vol. II, London, 1950, pp. 689-691, no. 492.

This vase is in overall good condition with some stabilisiation to the fragile extremities and age splits. The rectangular rim might have been carved from a separate piece.
"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."

Vases of this type, with children playing around an archaistic vase, were a Qianlong innovation, popular for their auspicious nature. Depictions of boys are symbolic of the wish for many offsprings, and on this vase they create an auspicious visual pun and a rebus for the phrase zisun ping’an, which can be translated as ‘peace among sons and grandsons’. While ivory vases of this type are unusual, porcelain versions are better known. See for example a Qianlong mark and period vase decorated in the famille rose with boys climbing over the vessel, in the Palace Museum, Beijing, illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum. Porcelains with Cloisonné Enamel Decoration and Famille Rose Decoration, Hong Kong, 1999, pl. 140; another, also in the Palace Museum, Beijing, included in the exhibition China. The Three Emperors 1662-1795, The Royal Academy of Arts, London, 2006, cat. no. 301; and a third vase, also decorated with flower roundels over a turquoise ground, from the collection of Marcus D. Ezekiel, illustrated in R.L. Hobson, The Later Ceramic Wares of China, London, 1925, pl. LX, fig. 2, and sold at Christie’s London, 12th December 1977, lot 211, and again in these rooms, 29th November 1978, lot 318.