QIANLONG SIX-CHARACTER SEAL MARK IN IRON-RED AND OF THE PERIOD (1736-1795)

Details

A LIME-GREEN GROUND FAMILLE ROSE VASE, MEIPING
QIANLONG SIX-CHARACTER SEAL MARK IN IRON-RED AND OF THE PERIOD (1736-1795)
The vase is brightly enamelled around the body with an elaborate lotus meander enclosing four lotus blooms growing lingzhi supporting a pomegranate, finger citrus and peach, forming the sanduo, 'three abundances'. The upper shoulder is decorated with stylised iron-red bats, below a band of stiff leaves encircling the waisted neck.
8 ½ in. (21.5 cm.) high

Provenance

Christie's London, 16 December 1996, lot 14
Christie's Hong Kong, 28 November 2006, lot 1563

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.

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Lot Essay

The decorative motifs on this meiping are rich with auspicious symbolism. The sanduo - pomegranate, finger citron and peach - together herald an abundance of blessings, long life and many sons. The word for finger citron (foshou) is homophonous with blessings (fu) and longevity (shuo) while the peach also symbolises longevity and the pomegranate, with its many seeds, represents many sons. The presence of bats on this vase bestows more blessings while the lotus flower is both a symbol of purity and a happy marriage.

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