A pair of cloisonné enamel 'eight immortals' moon flasks, Late Ming / Early Qing dynasty

Each of these superb vases is brilliantly decorated on each side with two of the immortals, comprising eight in total. The form of the vase, of sumptuous globular form flanked by intricate gilt-bronze dragon handles, is relatively frequently found. See for example a vase from the Clague Collection, illustrated in Chinese Cloisonné, Phoenix, 1980, pl. 46, and another from the collection of Pierre Uldry, illustrated in Chinesisches Cloisonne, Zurich, 1985, pl. 46. See also an example formerly in the collection of Adalbert Prince of Prussia (1884-1948), offered in our Hong Kong rooms, 2nd May 2005, lot 547.

The same precise detailing of the gilt-bronze dragon handles can be seen on the handles of cloisonné enamel washer from the Qing court collection and still in Beijing, illustrated in Compendium of Collections in the Palace Museum. Enamels, vol. 2, Cloisonné in the Yuan and Ming dynasties, Beijing, 2011, pl. 111.