Lot 115. A lemon-yellow-ground underglaze-blue 'Nine peaches' dish, seal mark and period of Qianlong (1736-1795); 26.7 cm, 10 1/2  in. Estimate 900,000 — 1,200,000 HKD. Lot sold 1,062,500 HKD. Photo: Sotheby's. 

the shallow interior decorated with a medallion in inky tones of cobalt-blue with nine peaches borne on gnarled leafy branches, the succulent ripe peaches and furled leaves accented by simulated 'heaping and piling', all within a double-line border repeated below the rim, the exterior with an undulating leafy scroll bearing flowering morning glory buds and blooms, all reserved against a brilliant and vibrant lemon-yellow ground, the yellow base inscribed with an underglaze-blue six-character seal mark within a white cartouche .

Provenance: Collection of Aristide Briand (1862-1932), Prime Minister of France, gifted by Prince Chun (1883-1951) in 1909.

Letter to Aristide Briand, Prime Minster of France, from Liou She-Shun, Legation of China in France, on behalf of the Prince Chun.

Notes: The Qianlong Emperor’s admiration for the celebrated wares of the early Ming dynasty is evident in this dish, from which it has been inspired. The motif of fruiting peaches was first devised during the Yongle period and became a favourite motif of the Qing emperors because of its association with longevity. Although the decoration on this dish is a Qianlong reinterpretation of the Yongle motif, it is intentionally painted in the Ming style with the characteristic ‘heaping and piling’ effect, in order to evoke the glorious past. Similarly, the attractive contrasting palette of underglaze blue and yellow first appeared on porcelain during the Xuande reign, but continued to be produced throughout the Ming and Qing dynasties.