Lot 262. A pink-ground famille-rose 'bajixiang' tripod censer, Qianlong six-character mark in iron-red and of the period (1736-1795); 11 ¼ in. (28.5 cm.) across the handles. Estimate GBP 15,000 - GBP 20,000. Price realised GBP 37,500. © Christie's Images Ltd 2018.

The impressive vessel is decorated and gilt around the exterior with the 'Eight Buddhist Emblems', bajixiang, amongst scrolling lotus, above three cabriole legs decorated with a single lotus scroll. The upright handles are decorated with squared scrolls and further lotus, and the rim is centered with the reign mark. The interior is enamelled turquoise, and the base is decorated with a flowerhead within a puce floral border. 

Provenance: Property from the collection of the Gardener family, Hertfordshire, by direct descent.

Note: Compare with the slightly larger Qianlong mark and period yellow-ground famille rose censer (36.8 cm. high) with similar decoration sold at Christie's New York, 14-15 September 2017, lot 1271 and also to the slightly larger Qianlong mark and period famille rose censor (38.7 cm.) with similar decoration but reserved on a white ground from the Collection of Dr Gordon and Dr Rosemary Fryer, Christie's London, 14 May 2013, lot 226.

A large yellow-ground famille rose tripod censer, Qianlong six-character seal mark in iron red and of the period (1736-1795); 14 ½ in. (36.8 cm.) high. Sold for 175,000 USD at Christie's New York, 14-15 September 2017, lot 1271. © Christie's Images Ltd 2017

Cf. my post: A large yellow-ground famille rose tripod censer, Qianlong six-character seal mark in iron red and of the period (1736-1795)

A famille rose tripod censer and cover, Qianlong six-character seal mark in iron-red and of the period (1736-1795); 15 in. (38.7 cm.) high. Estimate GBP 25,000 - GBP 30,000. Price realised GBP 37,500 at Christie's London, 14 May 2013, lot 226. © Christie's Images Ltd 2013

The globular body of the censer is finely enamelled with the Eight Buddhist Emblems,bajixiang, amidst lotus blooms borne on leafy scrolls. The sides have two handles decorated with further lotus scrolls and bats, and the three cabriole legs and the recessed neck are similarly enamelled with lotus scrolls. The sides of the handles and the mouth rim have classic S-scrolls, and the cover is surmounted by a jade finial carved as a mandarin duck with a floral spray in its mouth, wood cover with jade finial and wood stand.