Lot 26. A blue-glazed altar vessel and cover, Dou, Impressed Jiaqing seal marks and of the period (1796-1820);26cm (10 1/4in) high. Estimate £ 8,000 - 12,000 (€ 9,300 - 14,000). © Bonhams 2001-2019

The vessel moulded in shallow relief with bands of archaistic motifs including overlapping lappets and 'C' curls, the domed cover surmounted by a double-rope-twist loop handle, both covered inside and out with a lustrous glaze of vibrant indigo-blue tone, covering the impressed seal marks inside the foot and cover. 

Note: Just before the Winter Solstice sacrifice that was scheduled to held in the Temple of Heaven in 1748, the emperor Qianlong issued an Imperial command regarding sacrificial vessels. 'The Altar to Heaven main offering table dou [vessel] is blue porcelain...The handle on the top is like a twisted rope.' This was the first time that blue porcelain vessels were used and it became a precedent for these sacrificial rites for the rest of the Qing dynasty. See For Blessings and Guidance: The Qianlong Emperor's Design for State and Sacrificial Vessels, Hong Kong, 2019, p.75, where a similar blue-glazed dou, Jiaqing seal marks and of the period is illustrated, pp.156-157. 

Compare with a related blue-glazed dou, Jiaqing seal mark and of the period, which was sold at Christie's New York, 22-23 March 2018, lot 785.

A blue-glazed stem bowl and cover, Dou, Jiaqing six character impressed seal marks and of the period (1796-1820); 9 ¾ in. (14.5 cm.) high. Sold for 21,250 USD at Christie's New York, 22-23 March 2018, lot 785. Image courtesy Christie's.

 Bonhams. Fine Chinese Art, London, 16 May 2019