清乾隆 / 嘉慶 銅胎掐絲琺瑯錦紋地「拐子龍」紋出戟式方觚一對

each of archaistic baluster form and square section, accented with crenelated flanges at each corner, with a bulging, slightly tapered belly supported on a splayed base and surmounted by a tall flared neck with a straight upright rim, finely enamelled on the sides with a single red and pink lotus spray growing on a foliate stem, surrounded by three stylised archaistic dragons of dark blue colour forming angular scrolls, reserved on a turquoise ground picked out with gilt diapers enclosing florets and bordered by blue and red ruyi, similarly decorated on the neck and the base with pairs of blue archaistic dragons bordered by upright and pendent plantain leaves and interlinked ruyi-heads, the interior of the neck further decorated with florets reserved on a 'cracked-ice' ground, the cinched waist and constricted neck collared by rounded rows of multi-coloured petal lappets and key-fret, repeated on the rim and footring, the base set with later added European gilt-bronze mounts

The vases are in an overall very good condition with the enamelling and gilding remarkably well preserved. Both were once used as lamps and drilled at the bottom for electric wiring.
"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."

These vases are impressive for their large size and unusual decoration. Additional attention has been paid in creating an intricate design to cover the large body by incorporating a geometric ground that has been inspired by textile designs. While this pattern was sometimes employed in cloisonné enamel it is rare to find it appear as cloisons and not also filled with coloured glass. For flanged archaistic vessels with diaper grounds, see a yu and fangyi included in the exhibition Die Wäre aus Dem Teufelsland, Museum für Kunsthandwerk, Frankfurt, 1981, cat. nos. 81 and 82. A ding decorated with a ground of cloisonné enamelled floral diaper similar to the present, was included in the exhibition Cloisonné. Chinese Enamels from the Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties, Bard Graduate Centre, 2011, cat. no. 76.