Lot 117. A rare Imperial gilt-bronze and cloisonné enamel 'lotus' vase, Incised Qianlong six-character mark and shu character mark and of the period, 13.5cm (5 1/4in) high. Estimate HK$180,000 - 200,000 (US$23,000 - 26,000). Sold for HK$ 225,000 (€25,818). Photo: Bonhams.

Brilliantly enamelled around the baluster-shaped body with four large peony blossoms borne on dense lotus scrolls, between raised bands of gilt lotus lappets and ruyi at the foot and shoulder, raised on a cylindrical foot and beneath a short neck decorated with floral sprays, beautifully enamelled in vivid tones of red, yellow, green, blue, white and reserved on a rich turquoise ground, the base incised with the marks in kaishu. 

Note: The present lot displays the highly skilful craftsmanship of the cloisonné enamel ateliers combining the technique of enamelling with that of gilt bronze casting and chiselling, resulting in an opulent work of art embodying the Imperial taste during the Qianlong reign.

The lotus is shown in full bloom, with the craftsman utilising different vibrant colours to distinguish each layer of petals and the central pod. A very similar lotus design can be seen on a cloisonné enamel incense burner, Qianlong mark and period, illustrated in Compendium of Collections in the Palace Museum: Enamels 2 Cloisonné in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), Beijing, 2011, pl.220. Compare also a set of cloisonné enamel incense burner, vase and box, Qianlong marks and period, illustrated in Compendium of Collections in the Palace Museum: Enamels 3 Cloisonné in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), Beijing, 2011, pl.4. 

The vase belongs to a group of gilt-bronze and cloisonné enamel works of art with incised Qianlong kaishu marks and an additional single-character kaishu mark, known as the 'Thousand Character Classics' or qian zi wen (千字文). It has been suggested that the additional character could relate to numbering, designation of location, or set numbering; see H.Brinker and A.Lutz, Chinesisches Cloisonné Die Sammlung Pierre Uldry, Zurich, 1985, pp.74-79. 

A related cloisonné enamel vase, Qianlong mark and period, was sold in our London rooms, 8 November 2012, lot 245. See also a related cloisonné enamel incense burner, Qianlong mark and period, adorned with similar lotus blossoms, which was sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 29 May 2013, lot 2055.

A small cloisonné enamel baluster vase, Incised Qianlong seven-character mark and of the period. Sold for £20,000 (€22,777) at Bonhams London, 8 November 2012, lot 245. 

An imperial cloisonné enamel censer, Qianlong incised six-character mark and of the period (1736-1795). Sold HKD 562,500 (USD 72,801) at Christie's Hong Kong, 29 May 2013, lot 2055. © Christie's Images Ltd 2013