A rare turquoise-ground cloisonné enamel and coral display vessel. Late 18th/19th century

The cylindrical holder decorated with two rows of vertical panels of flowerheads on turquoise grounds, with gilt double rope-twist bands around the rims and middle, the top scattered with a ground of coral fragments issuing a large flowering and fruiting pomegranate tree with hardstone fruits, petals, and leaves, surrounded by strips of coral, supported on a gilt waisted stand decorated with bands of enamel lotus lappets and scrolling flowers, set on five bracket feet, fixed wood base. 45cm (17¾in) high. Estimate: £6,000 - 8,000
Footnote: Such decorative objects could be found in the Forbidden City and other Imperial palaces, with the flowerpots made in materials ranging from ceramic to enamel.

For a similar example, see American Art Association, Art Treasures from the Imperial Palace Pekin, New York, 1917, nos.29, 80 and 81; Helmut Brinker and Albert Lutz, Chinese Cloisonné: The Pierre Uldry Collection, New York, 1987, p.131, fig.66, for items from the Chuxiugong (Palace of Pervading Elegance); or Yi Wan, Wang Shuqing and Lu Yanzhen, Daily Life in the Forbidden City, New York, 1998, figs.100, 201 and 215 (in the Palace of Concentrated Beauty); a group of such potted landscapes can also be found illustrated by Wen Fong, James C. Y. Watt, and Guo Li Gu Gong Bo Wu Yuan, Treasures of the Imperial Court: The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum, Hong Kong, 2004, pp.34-42, nos.27-35.

(Copyright © 2002-2007 Bonhams 1793 Ltd., Images and Text All Rights Reserved)

Bonhams. Fine Chinese Art, 5 Nov 2007. New Bond Street - www.bonhams.com