Lot 192. A small doucai jar, Qianlong six-character seal mark in underglaze blue and of the period (1736-1795); 4 5/8 in. (11.8 cm.) high. Estimate GBP 10,000 - GBP 15,000. Price realised GBP 27,500 © Christie's Images Ltd 2018.

The exterior is delicately decorated in underglaze blue and translucent enamels with roundels of chrysanthemums with red and yellow blooms linked by broad leaves, all divided by stylised lotus sprays, The neck and shoulder are decorated with contrasting ground bands of stylised ruyi heads.

Provenance: Private American collection, acquired in the 1950s-60s.
Christie's New York, 17-18 September 2015, Lot 2246

Note: The design of medallions of chrysanthemums and butterflies can be seen on Chenghua jars, such as the jar from the Qing Court collection, illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum - 38 - Porcelains in Polychrome and Contrasting Colours, Hong Kong 1999, pl. 166. The design on the present jar is a part of a body of Qing-dynasty adaptations to this classic pattern.

Compare a pair of Qianlong-marked jars in the Tianjin Art Museum illustrated in Chinese Treasures of 5000 Years, Japan, 1985, no. 46; and another pair is illustrated in Min Shin no bijutsu (The Art of Ming and Qing), Osaka City Museum of Fine Arts, 1980, p. 43, no. 1-192. See a single jar sold at Christie's New York, 17-18 September 2015, lot 2246 and a pair with covers sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 27 November 2013, lot 3209.

A small doucai jar, Qianlong six-character seal mark in underglaze blue and of the period (1736-1795); 4 5/8 in. (11.8 cm.) high. Price realised USD 20,000 at Christie's New York, 17-18 September 2015, lot 2246. © Christie's Image Ltd 2015

Cf. my post: A small doucai jar, Qianlong six-character seal mark in underglaze blue and of the period (1736-1795)

A fine pair of doucai jars and covers, Qianlong six-character seal marks and of the period (1736-1795). Sold for 6,040,000 HKD at Christie's Hong Kong, 27 November 2013, lot 3209. © Christie's Images Ltd 2013.

 Christie's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, London, 15 May 2018