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Lot Essay
The present vase appears to be unique with no other published examples. However, this decorative format in the combined use of floral decorations juxtaposed with related poetic inscriptions is known among a small group of famille rose-decorated ceramics of the Qianlong and Jiaqing periods. A Qianlong-marked vase with panels reserved on a famille rose-decorated gilt-ground is illustrated in Porcelains with Cloisonne Enamel Decoration and Famille Rose Decoration, The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Musum, Hong Kong, 1999, p. 155, pl. 137. Also from the Beijing Palace Museum is a Jiaqing-marked vase similarly inscribed with Qianlong poems, ibid., p. 192, pl. 169; where the author mentioned the Qing Court archives recorded this particular group of ceramics that were commissioned for the Emperor Emeritus, the retired Emperor Qianlong, during the early Jiaqing reign.
The present four poems composed by the Qianlong Emperor pay tribute to the four seasonal flowers: the peony, lotus, chrysanthemum and prunus; and each are followed by the seals Qianlong, chenhan, weijing and weiyi respectively. A comparable Jiaqing-marked baluster vase with similar decorations on a yellow ground was sold at Sotheby's Hong Kong, 11 April 2008, lot 2853. This sold example has four panels: two floral and two poetic inscriptions, in praise of Spring and Autumn. These same poems also appear on the present vase.
The decoration of bats hanging Shou characters surrounded by Endless Knots and lotus carries the rebus fushou mianchang, 'May you have endless blessings and longevity'. It is interesting the pink enamel ground of the present vase which clearly follows the Qianlong tradition, with the colour following closely in tone to a famille rose 'butterfly' vase sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 3 December 2008, 2388.
The present four poems composed by the Qianlong Emperor pay tribute to the four seasonal flowers: the peony, lotus, chrysanthemum and prunus; and each are followed by the seals Qianlong, chenhan, weijing and weiyi respectively. A comparable Jiaqing-marked baluster vase with similar decorations on a yellow ground was sold at Sotheby's Hong Kong, 11 April 2008, lot 2853. This sold example has four panels: two floral and two poetic inscriptions, in praise of Spring and Autumn. These same poems also appear on the present vase.
The decoration of bats hanging Shou characters surrounded by Endless Knots and lotus carries the rebus fushou mianchang, 'May you have endless blessings and longevity'. It is interesting the pink enamel ground of the present vase which clearly follows the Qianlong tradition, with the colour following closely in tone to a famille rose 'butterfly' vase sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 3 December 2008, 2388.