Lot 63. A gilt-bronze and cloisonné enamel tazza, Qianlong, cyclically dated renzi year corresponding to AD 1792; 19.1cm (7 1/2in) diam. Estimate: 120,000 - 150,000 HKD. Sold for HK$ 162,500 (€19,649). Photo Bonhams. 

The shallow circular dish supported on a splayed foot and ending with a lipped rim, the interior decorated with a large centralised lotus flower head and four evenly-spaced stylised lotus blossoms borne on interlocking leafy tendrils beneath a band of ruyi-heads at the rim, the exterior further decorated with stylised lotus petals ending in ruyi-heads, geometric scrolls and archaistic downward plantain leaves, all enamelled in various tones of red, blue, green, white, and violet above a rich turquoise ground, the rim, waist and foot gilt in gold, the base incised with a dated twenty-character kaishu dedicatory inscription. 

Note: The inscription incised on the base can be translated as 'respectfully made as a ceremonial vessel for the late father, by Nan Mingbao in the renzi year of the Qianlong [1792] of the Qing dynasty'.

Compare a related gilt-bronze and cloisonné enamel tazza decorated with the Eight Buddhist Emblems bajixiang, mid-Qing dynasty, illustrated in Compendium of Collections in the Palace Museum: Enamels 4, Beijing, 2011, pl.3; see also a cloisonné enamel tazza, Qianlong, illustrated in The Prime Cultural Relics Collected by Shenyang Imperial Palace Museum. The Enamel Volume, Shenyang, 2007, pl.11.

A pair of cloisonné enamel stem dishes enamelled with the Eight Buddhist Emblems was sold at Christie's New York, 18 September 2014, lot 611.

A rare pair of cloisonné enamel offering dishes, Qianlong period  (1736-1795). Price Realized $30,000 at Christie's New York, 18 September 2014, lot 611. Photo Christie's Image Ltd 2014

Bonhams. IMPERIAL SPLENDOUR, 3 Dec 2015 12:00 HKT - HONG KONG, ADMIRALTY