An important and very rare pair of imperial bronze 'dragon and phoenix' vases Mark and period of Qianlong | 清乾隆 御製龍鳳呈祥雙活環耳銅方壺一對 《大清乾隆年造》款

Property of a Gentleman

An important and very rare pair of imperial bronze 'dragon and phoenix' vases

Mark and period of Qianlong

清乾隆 御製龍鳳呈祥雙活環耳銅方壺一對 《大清乾隆年造》款

each of squared baluster form, the main body of tapering section with a broad angular shoulder, supported on a flared foot and square plinth, the waisted neck flanked by a pair of angular zoomorphic handles, each suspending a loose rectangular ring, the exterior skilfully cast on each side, one with a phoenix prancing amidst leafy peony scrolls, its long feathery wings spread out and tail fluttering, the other with a five-clawed ferocious dragon chasing a flaming pearl amidst swirling clouds, the designs repeated at the neck between keyfret borders and above a ruyi band at the shoulder, the mouthrim encircled by a classic scroll, the foot with a band of pendent foliate lappets above keyfret and classic borders, interrupted on one side by a rectangular panel enclosing a six-character mark (later removed from the 'phoenix' vase), the edge of the shoulder later engraved with the words 'capture of the Chinese Palace. Pekin. 1860', wood stands

42.7 cm