A RARE PAIR OF CLOISONNE AND INSCRIBED SPINACH-GREEN JADE WALL VASES QING DYNASTY, QIANLONG PERIOD

each flat-back vase of ovoid form raised on a slightly splayed foot, set with a waisted neck, inset at the centre with an oval spinach-green jade incised and gilded with a poem, surrounded on the cloisonné body by lotus within ruyi-heads and stylised foliate scrolls, all between upright and pendant petals, mounted to wood stand

Christie's Hong Kong, 5th November 1997, lot 916.

There are some losses and wax fills to the enamels, including a 1.4 cm filled area to the shoulder of one vase. The other vase has a 0.5 cm shallow chip and associated refills to the shoulder. There is some expected wear to the gilt inscription.
"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."

An ovoid vase flanked with tubular handles, the body similarly inset with a medallion containing a poetic inscription, was sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 9^th November 2010, lot 220; and a pair of vases each inlaid with a jade plaque, one carved with twin fish hanging from a musical stone and the other with a seal, was sold in our London rooms, 12^th November 1974, lot 182.

Compare also imperial wall vases of various forms with gilt bronze panels enclosing poems, such as one in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, illustrated in Enamel Ware in the Ming and Ch'ing Dynasties, National Palace Museum, Taipei, 1999, pl. 124; another in the Qing Summer Palace in Chengde, published in Zhongguo jinyin boli falangqi quanji, vol. 6, Beijing, 1997, pl. 76; and a third sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 27^th May 2009, lot 1844. Further cloisonné enamel examples of wall vases include one decorated with a gilt bronze panel cast with three lotus heads, sold in our New York rooms, 20^th March 2007, lot 566; and another of archaistic bronze zun shape with a stylised zoomorphic design, sold in these rooms, 8^th October 2008, lot 2683.