A rare large famille rose coral-ground jardinière.  Qianlong underglaze blue  six character seal malk in and of the period  (1736-1795). photo: Christie's Images Ltd 2012

The impressive jardinière has a gently rounded base encircled with a band of ruyi-shaped pendant leaves. It is supported on a splayed foot and rises to a flared rim decorated with a band of large ruyi-heads. The body is finely enamelled with shaped cartouches comprising three large peony blooms on delicately curling stems and acanthus leaves, all on a vibrant coral-ground. The interior is covered with a paler coral glaze which shades to a very pale tone towards the base. 15¼ in. (38.8 cm.) diam. Lot 377. Estimate £200,000 - £300,000

Notes: This jardinère is extremely rare since famille rose coral-ground decoration is usually seen on bowls. See for example two Qianlong bowls with similar decoration sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 3 November 1996, lot 584, and on 5 & 6 November 1997, lot 956. This pattern became very popular in the 19th century, particularly in the Jiaqing, Daoguang and Guangxu periods.

The acanthus leaves, as seen on the current lot and the comparable bowls, reflects a strong influence from European rococo styles which were popular from the early Qing period. It is interesting to note that the acanthus motif was a particular favorite with the Emperor Qianlong and was often used on various media and combined with more traditional designs, such as lotus scrolls or peony flowers. Compare the use of European and Chinese plant motifs in a zitanwood frame sold in our rooms, 10 May 2011, lot 198. See also a red sandalwood chair decorated with dahlia motifs from the Qing Court Collection in Beijing, illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum, Furniture of the Ming and Qing Dynasties (II),Hong Kong, 2002, pl.55. 

Christie's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art 15 May 2012. London, King Street