Lot 108. Coral Ground ‘Ba Jixiang’ Vase ‘Gu’, Qianlong Mark and Period  (1736-1795). Estimation : 14 000 € / 18 200 €. Photo Auctionata AG.

Enameled porcelain - Six character seal mark of the Qianlong in iron-red above central knop - Of archaic ‘Gu’ form, with a bell-shaped foot and flared neck - Finely enameled with the ‘Ba Jixiang’ or Eight Buddhist emblems between stiff plantain leaves and keyfret borders - Interior and underside applied with turquoise glaze - Fitted brocade box - Height: 27.2 cm - Excellent condition

Provenance: Private collection

Note: An important Imperial piece and rare example of the exquisite craftsmanship of the Qianlong period  

This extraordinary vase is an important Imperial piece from the Qianlong period (1736-1795). It is of archaistic ‘Gu’ form, with a bell-shaped foot and flared neck. The sides are finely enameled with the ‘Ba Jixiang’ (八吉祥) or Eight Emblems of Buddhism – the wheel of the dharma, conch shell, victory banner, parasol, lotus flower, treasure vase, fish pair and the endless knot – on a coral ground between colorful foliate scrolls, stiff plantain leaves and key-fret borders. The Eight Auspicious Symbols have been used in decorative arts since the Yuan dynasty (1279-1368) to bring peace and blessings. The interior and underside of the vase are applied with a turquoise glaze. The mouth is adorned with a ruyi band. The side bears the six character seal mark of the Qianlong in iron-red above the central knop. The vase can be stored in a fitted brocade box. 

A similar example was sold at Sotheby’s Hong Kong, 8 October 2006, lot 1123. Another related example with a yellow ground, from the Nanjing Museum is illustrated inQing Imperial Porcelain of the Kangxi, Yongzheng and Qianlong Reigns, Hong Kong, 1995, Catalogue no. 95.  

AUCTIONATA AG, 10719 BERLIN. Voyage & Exotisme : Objets d'Art Indiens, Islamiques, Chinois et Japonais, le 16 Avril 2016 à 14h00 (2pm)