Lot 2566. A fine and extremely rare turquoise-ground famille rose vase, Qianlong gilt four-character sealmark and of the period (1736-1795); 9 in. (22.8 cm.) high. Estimate HK$3,800,000 - HK$4,500,000 ($492,672 - $583,428). Price Realized HK$4,580,000 ($593,615). © Christie's Image Ltd 2008.

The globular body finely enamelled with the Eight Daoist Emblems, Anbaxian, each tied with a long ribbon, amidst an elaborate meander of stylised lotus and other flowers, below the waisted neck similarly decorated with lotus above a border of upright stiff leaves, flanked by a pair of moulded handles, each in the form of an elephant-head suspending a tasselled musical chime from its trunk, below the flared mouth with upright rim encircled by a keyfret band, all resting on a low splayed foot, the decoration all reserved on an even turquoise-ground, the base bearing the reign mark gilt over the turquoise enamel, box.

Note: Previously sold at Sotheby's Hong Kong, 24/25 November 1987, lot 182.

This enamelling technique, particularly in the use of gilt to outline the various decorative elements, is probably an inspiration taken from cloisonné enamel with a turquoise-ground. Compare with two similarly decorated examples: the first is a Tibetan style ewer, enamelled with the Eight Buddhist Emblems and bearing a gold six-character Qianlong reign mark, a gift from Dr K.S. Lo to the Hong Kong Museum of Art, is illustrated in, The Wonders of the Potter's Palette, Qing Ceramics from the Collection of the Hong Kong Museum of Art, 1984, no. 70. The other is a baluster vase enamelled with the Bajixiang, Eight Buddhist Emblems, and a gilt six-character Qianlong sealmark, sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 27 October 2003, lot 666. Also compare a related vase from the W.W. Winkworth and Robert Chang collections, with a iron-red six-character sealmark, sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 2 November 1999, lot 505, and sold again at Sotheby's Hong Kong, 26 October 2003, lot 121.

Christie's. Important Chinese Ceramics And Works Of Art . 3 December 2008. Hong Kong.