Lot 3280. An imperial blue-ground gilt-decorated 'Butterfly and gourd' vase, Jiaqing six-character seal mark in iron red and of the period (1796-1820); 12 1/4 in. (31.1 cm.) high. Estimate HKD 2,600,000 - HKD 4,000,000. Price realised HKD 5,200,000. © Christie's Image Ltd 2014.  

The vase is delicately enamelled in two tones of gilt on a sapphire-blue ground with a continuous vine bearing gourds and leaves, interspersed wtih fluttering butterflies. The base is enamelled in turquoise, reserving the iron-red seal mark.

Note: The motifs on the present vase are exceptionally well rendered with fine delineation and different tonalities of gold creating sharp contrast with the sapphire-blue ground. The combination of butterflies and gourds form the auspicious rebus guadie mianmian, 'May you have ceaseless generatinos of descendants'.

Christie's. Important Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, Hong Kong, 26 November 2014