Important vase meiping impérial en porcelaine émaillée céladon. Chine, dynastie Qing, époque Yongzheng-Qianlong (1723-1795). Photo: Christie's Images Ltd., 2010

De taille massive, la panse décorée en léger relief, sur un côté d'un grand dragon à cinq griffes, son corps noueux couvert d'écailles, la gueule féroce, l'autre côté agrémenté d'un majestueux phénix aux ailes déployées, tous deux évoluant parmi de grands rinceaux feuillagés de pivoines épanouies, le pied rehaussé d'une guirlande de pétales ; petite restauration au col. Hauteur: 60,5 cm. (23¾ in.) Estimate €40,000 - €60,000

Provenance: Formerly from the Estate of Madame Hervouët, Paris.

Notes: This 18th century vase is characteristic of the Qing court's fascination with, and admiration of, 15th century porcelains.
It is decorated with the imperial symbols of a five-clawed dragon, symbol of the emperor, and a flying phoenix, symbol of the empress, circling among floral scrolls.
The glaze of the present vase is reminiscent of a Longquan celadon glaze but the decoration and manner in which it is carved is 18th century in style. It also echoes the influence of blue and white meiping such as the Wanli vase sold in these Rooms, 22 November 2006, lot 282.

No other similar example appears to be recorded although the 'dragon and phoenix' design with flower and scroll background can be found on doucai meiping such as the one illustrated in Porcelains in Polychrome and Contrasting Colours - The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum, Hong Kong 1999, p.259, pl.237.

For another massive meiping vase although white-glazed and decorated with dragons only, see lot 1611 sold at Sotheby's Hong Kong, 10 April 2006.

Christie's. Art d'Asie. 8 June 2010. Paris www.christies.com