Lot 3066. An unusual famille-rose lavender-ground cupstand, Qing dynasty, 18th century; 18 cm., 7 1/8 in. Estimate 500,000 — 700,000 HKD. Lot Sold 1,460,000 HKD. Photo Sotheby's

the bulbous lobed body resting on a wide chrysanthemum-petalled dish, all supported on a tall, slightly flared foot, covered overall in a lavender-ground glaze, enamelled with white chrysanthemum and bats around the top, scattered pink chrysanthemums an butterflies on both the interior and exterior of the dish and stylised iron-red chrysanthemums borne on an interlinked scroll around the foot.

Note: Compare a very similar cupstand sold at Sotheby's Hong Kong, 7th October 2010, lot 2164. In form, decoration and combination of Chinese and Western elements this cupstand is unusual. The charming lobed shape appears to have been inspired by earlier Chinese lacquer cupstands, such as the red lacquer example attributed to the Song dynasty (960-1279), in the Museum of Oriental Ceramics, Osaka, included in the exhibition The Colors and Forms of Song and Yuan China: Featuring Lacquerwares, Ceramics and Metalwares, Nezu Institute of Fine Arts, Tokyo, 2004, cat. no. 155; and another with bracket-lobed fluted rim but plain neck, cat. no. 158.

The design of butterflies and chrysanthemums has traditionally been a favoured motif in China for its highly auspicious qualities, with the chrysanthemum symbolising longevity as well as representative of the autumn season and the ninth month; and the butterflies (hudie) representing the wish for 'accumulation of blessings (fudie)' as well as happiness and longevity. Blooming flowers are also auspicious as they bring prosperity. The combination of butterflies flying among flowers is a popular design symbolising joy, love and good fortune (dielianhua).

Sotheby's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, Hong Kong, 08 april 2011