A Fine And Rare Cloisonne Enamel Ewer And Cover. Qianlong Mark And Period

the ovoid body, with attached gilt bronze dragon and phoenix head spout, with corresponding dragon tail, decorated with a wide band of Indian lotus strapwork on a turquoise ground, below a band of gilt bronze lappets to the shoulder, with a gilt bronze arched handle chased with dragons and phoenix amongst cloud scrolls, above the cylindrical neck and flared rim supporting the domed cover decorated in scrolling flowers on a turquoise ground. 31.5cm., 12 3/8in. Lot Sold 109,250 GBP

PROVENANCE: From a private European collection acquired in the 1980's.

CATALOGUE NOTE: It is rare to find ewers made in cloisonné enamel and even rarer are those bearing an imperial reign mark which identifies the vessel to be made for the Palace. Only one other similar ewer, possibly the pair to the present vessel, appears to be recorded, the ewer in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, illustrated in the Masterpieces of Chinese Enamel Ware in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, 1971, pl. 18. The spout in the form of a phoenix head, the swing-handle decorated with two facing dragons amongst swirling 'wish-granting' clouds (ruyiyun) and the dragon tail decoration on the side of the vessel are all highly auspicious design elements associated with the emperor and the empress. Two facing dragons symbolize a happy reunion (xi xiangfeng), while the dragon and phoenix together represent good fortune and blessings for the emperor and the empress. The dragon and phoenix are the most auspicious amongst the mythical animals and together form a typical motif used at weddings. The clouds are named after ruyi (as you wish) and symbolize the granting of all wishes for the happy couple. From its rich decoration, this ewer was probably made as a wedding gift.

Qianlong ewers appear to have been inspired by an earlier, Ming dynasty, ewer such as the one published in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum. Metal-bodied Enamel Ware, Hong Kong, 2002, pl. 67. While the two Qing ewers closely follow the Ming prototype, they have one additional design element – the dragon tail. Qing craftsmen made liberal changes to earlier models by adding their own design elements, thus creating vessels that were contemporary and individual. The dragon tail may be regarded as a continuation of the spout that has the phoenix head emerging out from the jaws of a dragon mouth.

For an example of cloisonné enamel ewer of different form see one of squat drum shape with three feet and curving spout, in the Phoenix Art Museum, illustrated in Chinese Cloisonne. The Clague Collection, Phoenix, 1980, pl. 32, attributed to the 17^th century.

Sotheby's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art. 05 Nov 08. London. Photo courtesy Sotheby's. www.sothebys.com