A fine and rare Beijing enamel waterpot, Qianlong seal mark and period - Sotheby's

the tapering ovoid body painted to the exterior with insects interspersed amongst millet and leafy floral sprays including peony, magnolia, lotus, camellia and orchid, encircled with a ruyi band above and a lappet band below, all reserved on a rich yellow ground, the interior enamelled turquoise, bound with gilt-metal at the rim and foot, the white base inscribed with a four-character seal mark, Japanese wood box. Quantité: 2 - 10.5cm., 4 1/8 in. Estimation :150,000 - 250,000 GBP 

PROVENANCE: A European Private Collection

NOTE: The present waterpot is exceptional for the quality of the workmanship and exquisite painting, and is amongst the finest vessels produced by court artists employed in the Imperial Workshop during the reign of the Qianlong emperor. The flowers and insects are naturalistically rendered, with careful attention paid to the smallest detail. This type of decoration represents the emperor's fascination with nature, as well as his penchant for traditional flower and insectpaintings. 
For related butterflies and flowers see a ewer in the collection of the National Palace Museum, Taipei, illustrated in Enamel Ware of the Ming and Ch'ing Dynasties, Taipei, 1999, pl. 114. Compare also the butterflies, floral sprays and insects rendered on a cover included ibid., pl. 131; and on an enamelled box, from the Qing Court collection and still in Beijing, published in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum. Metal-bodied Enamel Ware, Hong Kong, 2002, pl. 210.

Sotheby's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art. London | 15 mai 2013, www.sothebys.com