Coral Ground ‘Ba Jixiang’ Vase ‘Gu’, Enameled porcelain, China, Qianlong xix character seal mark and period (1736-1795). Estimate: 60,000 EUR. Photo Aucionata

Of archaic ‘Gu’ form, with a bell-shaped foot and flared neck. Finely enameled with the ‘Ba Jixiang’ or Eight Buddhist emblems between stiff plantain leaves and keyfret borders. Interior and underside applied with turquoise glaze. Fitted brocade box. Height: 27.2 cm. Excellent condition.

Provenance: Private collection

This extraordinary vase is an important Imperial piece from the Qianlong period (1736-1795). It is of archaistic ‘Gu’ form, with a bell-shaped foot and flared neck. The sides are finely enameled with the ‘Ba Jixiang’ (八吉祥) or Eight Emblems of Buddhism – the wheel of the dharma, conch shell, victory banner, parasol, lotus flower, treasure vase, fish pair and the endless knot – on a coral ground between colorful foliate scrolls, stiff plantain leaves and key-fret borders. The Eight Auspicious Symbols have been used in decorative arts since the Yuan dynasty (1279-1368) to bring peace and blessings. The interior and underside of the vase are applied with a turquoise glaze. The mouth is adorned with a ruyi band. The side bears the six character seal mark of the Qianlong in iron-red above the central knop. The vase can be stored in a fitted brocade box.

A similar example was sold at Sotheby’s Hong Kong, 8 October 2006, lot 1123. Another related example with a yellow ground, from the Nanjing Museum is illustrated inQing Imperial Porcelain of the Kangxi, Yongzheng and Qianlong Reigns, Hong Kong, 1995, Catalogue no. 95.

Aucionata. Friday Aug 21, 2015, 2 am EDT, Berlin