Lot 15. A doucai 'Chrysanthemum' jar and cover, Qianlong six-character seal mark in underglaze blue and of the period (1736-1795); 4 ½ in. (11.6 cm.) high. Estimate GBP 80,000 - GBP 120,000 (USD 112,240 - USD 168,360). Unsold. © Christie's Images Ltd 2018

The exterior of the jar is finely painted with chrysanthemum roundels interspersed with stylised foliate scrolls. The top of the cover is similarly decorated with a single chrysanthemum medallion.

Provenance: Sotheby's Hong Kong, 8 October 2008, lot 2636.

Note: The decoration on the current jar is a Qing adaption of a design of medallions of chrysanthemums and butterflies seen on Chenghua jars, such as the jar from the Qing Court collection, illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum - 38 - Porcelains in Polychrome and Contrasting Colours, Hong Kong 1999, pl. 166. 

Several similar examples of doucai jars of Qianlong mark and period have been published, including a jar and cover in the National Palace Museum in Taipei, published in Catalogue of Ch'ing Dynasty Porcelain in the National Palace Museum vol. II, Beijing, 1981, pl. 24; a pair of jars and covers in Porcelains from the Tianjin Municipal Museum, Hong Kong, 1993, pl. 177; and another pair in Min Shin no Bijutsu, Osaka, 1982, pl. 170.

Christie's. Rarity and Refinement: Treasures from a Distinguished East Asian Collection, London, 15 May 2018 - Sale 16837.