QIANLONG FOUR-CHARACTER MARK CAST IN RELIEF WITHIN A SQUARE AND OF THE PERIOD (1736-1795)

Details

A SMALL CLOISONNÉ ENAMEL PEAR-SHAPED VASE, HU
QIANLONG FOUR-CHARACTER MARK CAST IN RELIEF WITHIN A SQUARE AND OF THE PERIOD (1736-1795)
Each side of the vessel is exquisitely decorated with a large golden-olive taotie mask surrounded by gilt wire lotus scroll, below a narrow band cast in relief with classic scroll and further blue taotie masks on the neck. The mouth rim is delicately encircled by another narrow band of classic scroll.
4 3/8 in. (11.2 cm.) high

Provenance

Sotheby's New York, 31 May 1989, lot 30
Christie's New York, 20 September 2005, lot 113

Special Notice

These lots have been imported from outside the EU for sale using a Temporary Import regime. Import VAT is payable (at 5%) on the Hammer price. VAT is also payable (at 20%) on the buyer’s Premium on a VAT inclusive basis. When a buyer of such a lot has registered an EU address but wishes to export the lot or complete the import into another EU country, he must advise Christie's immediately after the auction.

Brought to you by

Samantha Yuen

syuen@christies.com +44 (0)20 7104 5791

Lot Essay

The present lot appears to be related to three cloisonné zun that have the same Qianlong four-character mark cast in relief and archaistic decoration that includes golden-olive taotie masks, as well as subsidiary taotie masks in blue. See The Complete Treasures of the Palace Museum - 43 - Metal-bodied Enamel Ware, Hong Kong, 2002, p. 119, no. 115; H. Brinker and A. Lutz, Chinese Cloisonné: The Pierre Uldry Collection, The Asia Society Galleries, New York, 1989, no. 268; and the Alfred Morrison Collection, Fonthill House, sold by order of the Lord Margadale of Islay, D.L., Christie's, London, 9 November 2004, lot 45.
The decoration and shapes of all of these vessels was inspired by ancient bronzes, and reflect the fashion for archaism during the Qianlong reign. They also display highest quality craftsmanship that seems to apply to all Qianlong cloisonné enamel vessels bearing the same cast mark.

More from Rarity and Refinement: Treasures from a Distinguished East Asian Collection

View All