Lot 148. A cloisonné enamel ‘Bajixiang’ double-gourd vase, Qing dynasty, Qianlong period (1736-1795); 36cm., 14 1/8 in. Estimate 20,000 — 30,000 GBP. Lot sold 32,500  GBP. Photo Sotheby's.

of square section, the upper and lower gourds brightly decorated against a turquoise ground, depicting the bajixiang each supported on a lotus flower reserved on meandering floral sprays, the narrow waist and the flaring foot similarly decorated with stylised lotus sprays, all divided by bands of interlocking foliate strapwork against a dark-blue ground, the waisted neck with bats interspersed amongst stylised lotus bloom and interlocking foliate strapwork.

Provenance: A French Private Collection.