Lot 3122. A magnificent and extremely rare carved and moulded celadon-ground famille rose lobed vase, Qianlong six-character seal mark in underglaze blue and of the period (1736-1795). Estimate Upon Request. Unsold. Photo Christie's Image Ltd 2015

The vase is exquisitely potted of quatrefoil form, delicately painted in famille rose enamels on each lobed side with a quatrefoil cartouche depicting the 'Flowers of the Four Seasons', including blossoming peonies on one broader side and pomengranate and gardenia on the other; chrysanthemum and Chinese amaranth on one narrower side, and prunus and camellia on the other, all outlined in gilt borders reserved against a lustrous celadon ground, moulded around the foot with upright waves above keyfrets, and around the neck with bands of upright lappets and ruyi-heads divided by a frieze of bosses, incised all over on the body with bats amongst clouds. The neck is flanked with a pair of gilt elephant-heads in high relief. The base is inscribed with the reign mark. 14 1/4 in. (36.2 cm.) high, box.

Provenance: Sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 1 October 1991, lot 786
Sold at Sotheby's New York, 20 March 2007, lot 818

Literature: Christie's Twenty Years in Hong Kong. Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art Highlights, Hong Kong, 2006, p. 219
The Alan Chuang Collection of Chinese Porcelain, Hong Kong, 2009, pl. 108

Christie's. IMPORTANT CHINESE CERAMICS AND WORKS OF ART, 2 December 2015, Convention Hall