A pair of cinnabar lacquer 'Da ji' double-gourd wall plaques. Qianlong

Each finely carved and lacquered in the form of a double-gourd vase and stand, tied with a ribbon at the waist with a bat, the upper and lower bulbs centered with recessed panels enclosing the characters 'da' and 'ji' respectfully, surrounded by deeply carved bajixiang ('Eight Buddhist Emblems') amongst lotus sprays, all on a trefoil ground, the reverse lacquered black with various gilt floral sprays (minor losses). 61.4cm (24¼in) high. (2). Sold for £54,000

Provenance: an English private collection

Note: A related pair of 'Da ji' double-gourd wall plaques, but with instruments issuing from the waisted neck, was sold at Sotheby's London, 13 July 2005, lot 112. Another comparable pair inset with lapis lazuli, from a London private collection, was sold at Christie's London, 10 November 2005, lot 349.

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Bonhams. Fine Chinese Art, 6 Nov 2008. New Bond Street www.bonhams.com