Lot 189. A pair of famille-rose yellow-ground 'Bajixiang' dishes, Jiaqing seal marks and of the period (1796-1820). Each: 10.5cm diam. Estimate HK$350,000 - 450,000. Sold for HK$ 687,500 (€ 81,553). Photo: Bonhams.

The interior of each dish colourfully decorated in bright enamels on a rich lemon yellow ground, depicting a small lotus bloom surrounded by the Eight Buddhist Emblems, baijixiang, each ribboned and interspersed by lotus blooms borne on leafy scrolls, the exteriors decorated with five floral sprays, each with a bat and various auspicious motifs, each base with an iron-red zhuanshu seal mark.

Note: Very similarly depicted leafy lotus tendrils can also be seen on a Jiaqing mark and period lime-green-ground baluster vase in the Palace Museum, Beijing, illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum. Porcelains with Cloisonné Enamel Decoration and Famille Rose Decoration, Hong Kong, 1999, pl.172. The thick quality of the enamels, as seen on the present lot, is typical of densely decorated famille rose wares of the Jiaqing period. Compare with a famille rose turquoise-ground vase, sold in our London rooms, 11 November 2010, lot 327.

Famille rose yellow-ground wares were popular in the Imperial court during the mid Qing Dynasty, in the reigns of the Qianlong and Jiaqing Emperors. As the colour yellow was regarded as only for the Emperor, Empress and Dowager Empress, vessels and wares of this colour were especially prized. See for instance a rare yellow ground famille rose vase, Jiaqing mark and period, sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 1 December 2010, lot 2981. A famille rose yellow ground Tibetan-style ewer, Jiaqing seal mark and of the period, was sold in our London rooms, 10 November 2011, lot 187.

Bonhams. FINE CHINESE CERAMICS AND WORKS OF ART, Hong Kong, Admiralty, 26 May 2014