Lot 3626. A famille-rose 'phoenix' vase, Seal mark and period of Qianlong (1736-1795); 39.5 cm, 15 ½ in. Estimate: 800,000 - 1,200,000 HKD. Lot sold 1,386,000HKD. Courtesy Sotheby's.

well potted with a tapering ovoid body rising to a tall cylindrical neck flaring at the rim, brilliantly enamelled in vivid shades of pink, green, iron-red, white and sepia with a pair of phoenix birds below the sun perched atop a tree branch and rockwork amidst blossoming peonies wreathed by a profuse foliage, the base inscribed with an iron-red six-character seal mark.

Note: The vase has a distinct and pleasing form, with an ovoid body gently spring from a recessed foot and curving to a slender neck. It is exuberantly enamelled with a vivid scene of a pair of phoenix amidst branches and foliage. The form of the vase is identical to a larger Qianlong famille-rose vase, similarly painted but with pheasants, sold in these rooms, 8th April 2011, lot 3062.