Lot 180. A cloisonné enamel pomegranate form jar, Late Ming-early Qing dynasty, 17th century; 4 1/2in (11.4cm) high. Estimate US$ 30,000 - 50,000 (€ 25,000 - 42,000). Sold for US$ 19,062. © Bonhams 2001-2021

The bulbous body rendered on the rich, leafy green ground with a continuous pattern of six lotus blossoms enclosed by radiating branches below the mouth shaped as an open bud, the blossoms executed in delicate white, blue, red, and yellow enamels above the gilt metal straight foot.

Provenance: Christie's, London, June 2000, lot 220.

Note: An almost identical pomegranate-shaped vessel with a turquoise rather than this rarer leaf-green ground in the Beijing Palace Museum, is illustrated by Yang Boda (ed.) The Complete Collection of Chinese of Chinese Gold and Silver, Glass Enamelware, Vol. 5, (Zhongguo jinyin boli falangqi quanji - 5 - falangqi (1), Beijing, 2002, no. 141, pp. 47 & 120. It is interesting to note that the current form is also found on porcelain of this period, such as a Yongzheng-marked lapis-lazuli-type glazed example, published in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum, Monochrome Porcelain, Hong Kong, 1999, p. 218, no. 196.

Another interesting feature of this vase is the relatively light weight and thin-walled structure of the vessel itself, compared to much late Ming cloisonne production, indicating a 17th century date more in line with early Qing wares. The lotus blooms with curled ends on their leaves and the incorporation of tri-lobed-shaped petals similarly suggests a 17th century date. For another vase with similar treatment of the leaves see Helmut Brinker & Albert Lutz, Chinese Cloisonne: The Pierre Uldry Collection, New York, Asia Society Galleries, 1989, no. 124.

Bonhams. Chinese Ceramics, Works of Art and Paintings, New York, 20 Sep 2021