A Gilt-Copper And Paste-Set Octagonal Jardiniere. Qing Dynasty, Qianlong Period

of octagonal section raised on a gently splayed foot and rising to an everted rim, the 'S'-shaped flared sides each centred with a foliate-shaped cartouche, the body entirely decorated in repousse and gilt with an ornate design of floral sprays and foliate scrolls issuing flower heads set with yellow, green and red paste stones, the rim decorated with a red paste-set border and finely engraved with an intricate peony scroll. 34.4cm., 13 1/2 in. Lot sold 7,500 GBP

NOTE: It is rare to find gilt-copper jardinières embellished with coloured stones and the present piece is notable for the fine composition of intricately detailed scrolling leaves and colourful inlaid flowers on the finely textured ground. It is likely that this piece was made in imitation of gold and silver vessels of this type; compare a more elaborate gilded silver rectangular jardinière with floral decoration inlaid with precious stones, in the Palace Museum, Beijing, included in the exhibition Tributes from Guangdong to the Qing Court, Art Gallery, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 1987, cat. no. 61. Jardinières of this form were produced in various medium; see a gilt-copper example cast with shou characters in the Palace Museum, Beijing, illustrated in Yang Xin, Treasures of the Imperial Palace, Beijing, 1995, pl. 59; a related Canton enamel version painted with similarly shaped panels, but with bracket-feet, sold at Christie's London, 14^th July 1980, lot 280; and a cloisonné enamel example with indented corners and archaistic gilt-bronze panels sold in these rooms, 12^th June 1990, lot 55.

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