An Imperial Reticulated Celadon-ground Yangcai with Blue-and-White Core Elephant-handled Vase, Qianlong Period, 1736 – 1795. H 23cm. Estimate: estimate upon request. Sold price: HK$ 14,160,000 / US$ 1,815,400. Photo Poly Auction

This overall body in ovoid shape is covered with a pale celadon glaze, inscribed with a six-character seal mark. The reticulated and heightened part itself forms archaistic phoenix, reserved with four quatrefoil panels. Each of them encloses a stylized iron-red lotus flower on a feathery gilt scroll ground and is decorated by the enamel scrolls. The reticulation reveals an inner vessel decorated in underglaze-blue with bats and cloud scrolls. The cylindrical neck is painted with a band of upright leaves in gilding, divided by elephant head handles hung with loose rings.

Such remarkable vase was probably made under the direction of Tang Ying who brought Chinese porcelain production, especially the yangcai porcelains which were always mentioned in the official records, to a climax of perfection at Jingdezhen. He devoted his life to creating porcelains with more innovative and intricate form that would satisfy the emperor’s taste by adopting multilayered designs, openwork carving and colourful decoration. These definitely involved much more complex and difficult production processes, giving the artisans with considerable challenges. 

This vase was once owned by an English collection and later appeared at the auction sale of Christie's London in 15 December 1981 as Lot 211, and then at Sotheby’s London in 19 June 1984 as Lot 368. Then it was brought to Asia and sold by Sotheby’s Hong Kong in 20 May 1986 as Lot 122. After thirty years of waiting, we are honoured to present this magnificent and rare Imperial piece. 

Poly Auction (Hong Kong) Limited. “An Important Sale of Imperial Works of Art”. April 2015