清嘉慶 粉彩「西洋人物」圖雙耳瓶 《嘉慶年製》款

the pear-shaped body rising from a splayed foot to a waisted neck and flared rim, flanked by a pair of mythical beast loop-handles, the animal heads picked out in iron red and detailed with a long curved gilded tongue lolling out, painted around the exterior in a soft famille-rose palette with a continuous scene of eight European figures set in an idyllic setting with large verdant trees and European architecture, including a lady looking at a dog while holding onto the arm of a gentleman while he converses with another gentleman, two further gentlemen conversing with each other while sitting on the grassy ground with a lady holding a tray of fruits above her head in the background, a further lady looking endearingly at a young boy standing behind her, all between borders of floral diapers encircling the rim and the foot, the base inscribed in iron-red with a four-character reign mark, wood stand

There is rubbing to the gilding on the loop handles as visible on the photo and a few small imperfections in the glaze including a minute iron spot under the rim (visible on the illustration in the catalogue) and minor specks on the interior, but overall the vase is in very good condition.
"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."

類本品者，可比一嘉慶瓶例，飾西洋圖景，售於倫敦佳士得1970年10月5日，編號78。另見一光緒例，嘉慶仿款，售於倫敦蘇富比1981年2月5日，編號53。

以西洋畫片為飾者，多見乾隆一朝。可參考一瓶例，開光內繪西洋景，展於《From the Dragon’s Treasure》，Museum Für Kunsthandwerk，柏林，1987年，圖版203。另見一例，售於洛杉磯蘇富比1973年10月29日，編號65。