清乾隆 青花錦紋奘罐

well potted with a cylindrical body constricted at the rim and foot, the body decorated with a broad register painted with a complex geometric pattern formed from different cell diapers infilled with lotus, leaves, lozenge and waves motifs, tessellating to form five star-shaped panels enclosing a lotus scroll, all between entwined floral scrolls, the foot decorated with a band of semi-florets and the rim with tumultuous waves, all painted in shaded tones of cobalt wih simulate 'heaping and pilling', the domed cover similarly decorated and set with a globular knop picked out with a six-petalled blossom, the rims, interior and base left white

Both the form and decoration of this jar are inspired by early fifteenth century blue and white wares which are themselves of Islamic inspiration. The geometric design, which is also found on small jars with Yongzheng reign marks, can be seen on a Yongle flask included in the Exhibition of Chinese Art from the Reach Family Collection, Eskenazi, London, 1989, Catalogue no. 32, and discussed by Regina Krahl, p. 10, who illustrates the star-shaped medallion together with two details form an Iranian Koran, c. 1313, figs. 5-7. Compare another Qianlong jar of this type sold in these rooms, 2nd May 2000, lot 574.