Grand vase en porcelaine doucai . Chine, dynastie Qing, époque Yongzheng (1723-1735). Photo Sotheby's

de forme balustre, le pied et le col évasés, agrémentés d'anses ajourées en forme de dragon chilong stylisé, à décor de dragons à cinq griffes poursuivant la perle enflammée dans des nuages stylisés au-dessus de rochers et flots tumultueux, le pied ceint d'une frise géométrique, le col souligné d'une frise de ruyi ; long fêle, petites restaurations  70,5 cm, 27 3/4 in. Estimate 60,000-80,000 EUR

A massive doucai porcelain vase, China, Qing Dynasty, Yongzheng period (1723-1735)

PROVENANCE: Collection of Hélène Bui Quang Chieu, born in 1936 (by descent).

NOTE: The present vase is impressive for its large size and vibrant design which has been finely rendered in the visually exquisite doucai enamels. It appears to be the only example known although in its decoration it is related to a baluster form vase similarly flanked by a pair of handles of qilong form and painted with the design of a single dragon amongst colourful clouds, in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, collection no. C1356.1910, and its pair offered in our Hong Kong rooms, 5th October 2011, lot 1947. See also a bottle-form vase painted with bats circling amongst multihued doucai cloud scrolls sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 16th May 1989, lot 299, and again at Christie's Hong Kong, 29/30th October 2001, lot 840; and a doucai jar with the bats and clouds motif published in Chinese Porcelain. The S.C.Ko Tianminlou Collection, Part II, Hong Kong, 1987, pl. 115.

See also a Qianlong mark and period moonflask decorated with the design of dragons and clouds in doucai enamels, from the Qing court collection and still in Beijing, illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum. Porcelains in Polychrome and Contrasting Colours, Hong Kong, 1999, pl. 241.

The use of the doucai method of decoration was favoured by early Qing emperors, especially Yongzheng and Qianlong, who were fond of wares made during the reign of the Chenghua emperor (1465-1487) of the Ming dynasty.

The doucai painting style, with its delicate drawing in fine blue outline and its colouration in polychrome washes was the archetypical style of decoration in the Chenghua period. The beauty of Chenghua porcelain, with doucai wares regarded as most exquisite and special was appreciated by the Qing rulers who saw objects decorated in this manner as pieces that evoked the glorious past. The manufacture of this vase also reflects an appreciation for Ming wares and pays homage to one of the greatest eras in the history of Chinese ceramics.

Sotheby's. Arts D'Asie. Paris |15Dec2011 www.sothebys.com