Lot 319. A famille rose blue-ground sgraffiato imperially-inscribed wall vase, Qianlong six-character seal mark in underglaze blue and of the period (1736-1795); 9 in. (23 cm.) high. Estimate GBP 60,000 - GBP 80,000 (USD 78,480 - USD 104,640). © Christie's Images Ltd 2019

The vase is decorated with two iron-red and gilt handles shaped as kui dragons. The body is moulded with a shaped panel enclosing an imperial poem eulogising the beauty of wall vases and signed Qianlong yuzhi (imperially made), all reserved on a vibrant blue sgraffiato ground decorated with scrolling flowers. The turquoise base bears the reign mark.

Note: The current vase may be compared with the slightly smaller famille rose blue-ground sgraffiato vase (19.2 cm. high) in the collection of the Percival David Foundation of Chinese Art illustrated by Rosemary E. Scott in Qing Porcelain for the Imperial Court, 1997, London, no.3, p 52. The poetic inscription on this vase written by the Emperor Qianlong in 1742, describes how this vase should be hung in a sedan chair and filled with wild flowers.