A very rare Imperial cloisonne enamel oval bowl and cover, Qianlong incised four-character mark within double squares and of the period (1736-1795). Photo Christie's Image Ltd 2014

Of oval section, the bowl is decorated on the sides with multi-coloured lotus blooms divided by ribbon-tied stylised chi dragons facing opposite directions, above a band of upright petals picked out in red, yellow and blue. The oval stepped cover is similarly decorated with alternating lotus blooms and chi dragons on the lower section, and lotus sprays on tendrils on the upper section, surmounted by a gilt rounded finial cast with ruyi clouds above a ring of petal lappets. The interior and base of the bowl are gilt. 6 3/4 in. (17.3 cm.) wide. Estimate HK$900,000 - HK$1,200,000 ($116,615 - $155,487). Price Realized HK$1,840,000 ($238,358)

Provenance: Sold at Sotheby's New York, 21 September 2005, lot 222

Literature: M & C Gallery, Seeking Antiques-Studying Treasures, Hong Kong, 2007, pp 20-25

Notes: The current bowl and cover, constructed of perfectly balanced proportions, is particularly notable for its exquisite enamelling, consummately filling in each cloison with enamels of vivid tones. The gilding is also notably thick. All these suggest the origin of manufacture at the Imperial enamel atelier within the palace in Beijing.

The form and decorative motifs on the present vessel are also highly unusual. To date there has been no absolute agreement as to the function of this vessel, although it has been suggested that its rare shape resembles ritual vessels used in Lamaist temples. It has been recorded that the Qianlong Emperor frequently commissioned cloisonne enamel ritual vessels to be made for use in the Palace, so it is likely that the current bowl was made to serve this purpose.

The conjoined chi dragons also represent a new invention in the Chinese decorative repertoire through the recreation of an age-old archaic motif. During the Qing dynasty, a major influence on both the shape and decoration of enamel wares was the interest in antiquity evinced by the emperors themselves and other members of the elite. The expense of fine cloisonne wares was such that only members of this group would have had access to them. This interest in antiquity resulted in archaism being a significant aspect of the designs of cloisonne enamels. This was not a new development in the Qing dynasty, but can be said to have reached its zenith in the 18th century. This vessel is a very fine example which encompasses the confluence of old and new artistic elements during the prolific reign of the Qianlong Emperor.

Christie's. THROUGH CONNOISSEURS' EYES - WORKS OF ART FOR THE EMPEROR, 28 May 2014, Hong Kong - http://www.christies.com/