Paire de vases monumentaux en porcelaine de la famille rose. Chine, dynastie Qing, époque Qianlong (1736-1795)

de forme balustre avec couvercle, chacun décoré de grands paniers fleuris dans des cartouches en réserve sur fond bleu. 130 cm, 51 3/16 in. Est. 20,000--30,000 EUR. Lot Sold 96,750 EUR

NOTE: The present pair of vases is remarkable for its impressive large size and luxuriously rich decoration in the famille-rose palette. The technical virtuosity needed for the production of such large vessels is evident not only in the potting but also in the firing of the pieces. European demand for such costly and lavish vases, which often formed part of a larger garniture, reached its peak during the 18^th and 19^th centuries when potters at the Imperial kilns at Jingdezhen produced vessels in large quantities to satisfy export demand. Soldier vases became essential furnishings for many palaces and halls throughout Europe.

A very similar vase, from the collection of Alfred Morrison (1821-1897), possibly one of the piece bought from Lord Loch of Drylaw, and previously from the collection of the Rt. Hon. The Lord Margadale of Islay, T.D. removed from Fonthill House, Tisbury, Wiltshire, was sold in our London rooms, 18^th October 1971, lot 31. The Morrison vase is believed to have originally come from the European Palaces of the Yuanming Yuan in Beijing.

See another vase of this type, with the large leaf-shaped reserves painted with Chinese ladies in a garden setting, from the collection of the Hon. Mrs. Ronald Greville, illustrated in G.C. Williamson, The Book of Famille Rose, London, 1927, pl. LVIII, together with another soldier vase of the same shape, but overall decorated with flowering peonies in famille-rose, also from the Greville collection.

Sotheby's. Asian Art11 Jun 09. Paris www.sothebys.com