A large blue and white, iron-red and gilt-decorated armorial cistern and cover, Qianlong period (1736-1795)
Lot 33. A large blue and white, iron-red and gilt-decorated armorial cistern and cover, Qianlong period (1736-1795); 27 ¼ in. (69.2 cm.) high. Estimate GBP 30,000 - GBP 50,000. Price realised GBP 22,500. © Christie's Images Ltd 2019
The cistern is decorated to the exterior of the body with a wide central band of precious objects amongst leafy fruiting pomegranate branches, all between floral and diaper bands to the mouth and foot. The arms of Sichterman of Groningen incorporating a squirrel is painted to one side, above a pierced hole fitted with a tap. The cover is similarly decorated with the armorial crest, precious obejcts and pomegrates encircling the bud-form finial.
Note: The arms are those of Jan Albert Sichterman (1692-1764), who was a Director of the Dutch East India Company and Governor of Bengal from 1734-1744.
Christie's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, London, 5 November 2019