Lot 1923. A very rare Imperial copper-red 'bats and peaches' bottle vase, Jiaqing seal mark and of the period (1796-1820); 30cm (11 3/4in) high. Estimate HK$ 400,000 - 600,000 (€43,000 - 65,000). Sold for HK$ 1,000,000 (€107,822). Photo: Bonhams.

The compressed globular body elegantly tapering to a slender cylindrical neck and a flaring rim, vividly painted in copper-red with clusters of six peaches beneath a stylised bat borne on a continuous leafy meander issuing large lotus flower heads and acanthus leaves, the neck similarly decorated, all above lappets at the foot and beneath a band of ruyi-head at the rim. 

Provenance: A European private collection

Note: The present vase is modelled in an elegant form inspired by bronze prototypes of the Han dynasty; the slightly more compressed globular body is a characteristic of the Jiaqing period. It is superbly painted with bats suspending sprays of ripe peach between bands of ruyi-heads, representing the wish for longevity. The underglaze-copper-red required extremely precise control of the firing process to achieve the brilliant attractive colour. Made during the reign of the Jiaqing Emperor, the vase was most likely crafted by master potters active during the peak of Qing dynasty Imperial porcelain production reached during the reign of the Qianlong Emperor, exhibiting outstanding technical control and an aesthetically balanced design.

The vase is very rare in its pure decorative design in underglaze red palette; compare however, a copper-red meipingvase, Jiaqing seal mark and period, painted with lotus scrolls, illustrated in The Prime Cultural Relics Collected by Shenyang Imperial Palace Museum: The Chinaware Volume, Shenyang, 2007, pp.22-23, no.14.

In its auspicious design in underglaze red, it is related to vases made from the Kangxi to the Qianlong reigns; see examples in the Qing Court Collection, illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum: Blue and White Porcelain with Underglaze Red (III), Shanghai, 2010, nos.164, 170, 173, and 175; and compare also a copper-red bottle vase, Qianlong seal mark and period, painted with sprays of peach, pomegranate and finger citron, in the Victoria and Albert Museum London, museum no.C93-1956.

Vase, Qing dynasty, Qianlong period (1736-1795), porcelain painted in underglaze copper red; China (Jingdezhen). Height: 34.9 cm. Bequeathed by J. A. Tulk, C.93-1956 © Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Bonhams. FINE CHINESE CERAMICS AND WORKS OF ART, 28 Nov 2017, 14:00 HKT - HONG KONG, ADMIRALTY