Lot 2910. A rare pair of coral-red ground famille rose vases, Jiaqing six-character seal mark in iron-red and of the period (1796-1820); 13 1/4 in. (33.5 cm.) high. Estimate HKD 3,000,000 - HKD 5,000,000. Price realised HKD 6,700,000. © Christie's Images Ltd 2017

Each vase is finely enamelled and gilt to the body with tasselled lanterns above large lotus blooms and colourful scrolling flowers, all above a lappet band by the foot and below a ruyi-head band. The shoulder is decorated with a keyfret band below a band of stiff leaves, and the neck is decorated with further scrolling lotus supporting a vase filled with millet, all below a further ruyi-head band at the gilt rim. The interior and base are enamelled turquoise, box.

Note: It is rare to find Jiaqing famille rose vases in pairs. The elaborate decorative scheme seen on the current vases follows closely the designs of the Qianlong period, such as a pair of Qianlong-marked ruby-ground famille rose vases from the Y. C. Chen Collection, sold at Christie’s Hong Kong, 29 May 2013, lot 1922. Compare also to a pair of Jiaqing-marked famille rose vases of similar shape and design, but with handles on the necks, sold at Sotheby’s Hong Kong, 8 April 2011, lot 3076; and a single Jiaqing-marked yellow-ground vase of pear-shaped form, decorated in famille rose with lotus blooms and other auspicious symbols, from the Fonthill Collection and sold at Christie’s Hong Kong, 1 December 2010, lot 2981.