Christie's. Important Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, Hong Kong, 29 May 2019
A rare blue-ground gilt-decorated archaistic cup, Qianlong four-character seal mark in iron red and of the period (1736-1795)
Lot 3138. A rare blue-ground gilt-decorated archaistic cup, Qianlong four-character seal mark in iron red and of the period (1736-1795); 3 ½ in. (8.9 cm.) wide across the handles. Estimate HKD 120,000 - HKD 180,000. Price realised HKD 81,250. © Christie's Image Ltd 2019
The cup is potted with a semi-spherical body flanked by a pair of small S-shaped handles above a short tapered foot. The mid-body is highlighted with a prominent band of blue enamel with rows of raised bosses on the rounded exterior in the form of an archaistic bronze gui. All are against a brilliant gold ground. The base is applied with turquoise enamel.
Provenance: The Helen D. Ling Collection, acquired in 1979.
Note: Gilt decoration was used sparingly in the 18th century. It is very rare to find famille rose vessels decorated on a gold ground, and also unusual to find a vessel in such a good condition where all of the gold ground remains intact as the gilding is soft and easily lost through wear.