Lot 2753. An exceptionally rare pair of gilt-decorated and enamelled vases, Qianlong moulded and gilt six-character seal marks and of the period (1736-1795); 4 in. (10.2 cm.) high. Estimate HKD 20,000,000 - HKD 30,000,000. Price realised HKD 24,100,000. © Christie's Images Ltd 2018

Each small vase is in archaic hu form with a compressed globular body and applied on the tapering shoulder with a pair of upright loop handles. The main body is moulded with decorative bands highlighted in gilt against an apple-green enamel ground with stylised kui dragons above cicada blades that are connected by bejewelled tassels. The tapering shoulder with raised studs below overlapping plantain surrounding the lower cylindrical neck, and beneath linked trefoils below the beaded mouth rim. It is supported on a low splayed foot moulded with a key-fret band below overlapping petals encircling the base of the vessel, Japanese wood box.

Provenance: The Wah Kwong Collection
T.Y. Chao Private and Family Trust Collection, sold at Sotheby’s Hong Kong,
18 November 1986, lot 115
Sold at Christie’s Hong Kong, 28 November 2012, lot 2200.

Exhibited: The Art Gallery, Institute of Chinese Studies, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Ch’ing Porcelain from the Wah Kwong Collection, November 1973-February 1974, no. 115.

Note: With the technical advances and virtuosity of porcelain production during the Qianlong period, potters from the official kilns were able to experiment with different methods and techniques to satisfy the emperor’s penchant for the curious and archaic. Although the idea of porcelain imitating other materials was pioneered by the potters of the late Kangxi and Yongzheng periods, it was during the Qianlong reign that this technique reached its zenith, and the present pair of vases is no exception. From its decorative style the vases largely took their inspiration from vessels that were produced in repousse metalwork, although the stylised kui dragons and cicada motifs are in imitation of those on early bronzes, such as those collected in the Imperial palace by Emperor Qianlong. A line drawing of a closely related hu-shaped bronze vessel, dating to the Han dynasty, was published in the Xiqing Xujian, ‘Inspection of Antiques-1st Supplement’ (fig. 1). This publication was a compilation of early period bronzes collected in the imperial palace, and appeared in its woodblock form in 1755 and published under the auspices of the Siku Quanshu, ‘The Imperial Manuscript Library’.