A rare famille-rose ruby-ground jar, Qianlong six-character seal mark in iron red and of the period (1736-1795)

11 septembre 2018

A rare famille-rose ruby-ground jar, Qianlong six-character seal mark in iron red and of the period (1736-1795)

Lot 1389. A rare famille-rose ruby-ground jar, Qianlong six-character seal mark in iron red and of the period (1736-1795); 13 in. (33 cm.) high. Estimate USD 30,000 - USD 50,000. Price realised USD 150,000. © Christie's Images Ltd 2018

The sides are decorated with the ribbon-tied Eight Buddhist Emblems (bajixiang) arranged in two registers, each born on a scrolling lotus stem and alternating with exotic flowers borne on scrolling leafy stems, all on a ground of rich ruby color between borders of multi-colored petals below and ruyi heads above. A narrow band of classic scroll encircles the mouth rim and turquoise enamel covers the interior and the base surrounding the mark.

Note: The decoration of the present jar epitomizes much of the extravagant, colorful, and technically unsurpassed Qianlong style. Using enamels in almost every color available with great delicacy and skill, the jar combines a formality of design with a liveliness and detail in the execution.

It is unusual to find this famille rose ruby-ground palette on a jar of this shape. It is more frequently seen on smaller, two-handled vases, such as the double-gourd form vase illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum – 39 – Porcelains with Cloisonné Enamel Decoration and Famille Rose Decoration, Hong Kong, 1999, p. 144, no. 126, and the vase with lotus scroll and Daoist Emblems, illustrated ibid., p. 145, no. 127.

Other examples of Qianlong-period, ruby-ground vases with iron-red seal marks include a vase sold at Christie’s Hong Kong, 27 May 2008, lot 1547, and a pair sold at Christie’s Hong Kong, 29 May 2013, lot 1922.

A famille rose ruby-ground vase, Iron-red Qianlong six-character seal mark and of the period (1736-1795); 7¼ in. (18.5 cm.) high. Sold for 3,127,500 HKD at Christie’s Hong Kong, 27 May 2008, lot 1547. © Christie's Images Ltd 2008

An exceptionally fine and rare pair of ruby-red ground famille rose vases, Qianlong iron-red six-character seal marks and of the period (1736-1795), from the Y. C. Chen Collection; 12 in. (30.5 cm.) high. Sold for HKD 43,550,000 at Christie’s Hong Kong, 29 May 2013, lot 1922. © Christie's Images Ltd 2012