Cloisonné enamels formely in the Collection of the Chang Foundation sold at Bonhams HK, 29 November 2023 

Lot 861. An important and rare cloisonné enamel rectangular 'dragon' incense burner, Wanli six-character mark and of the period (1573-1620); 20cm long. Sold for HK$1,401,000 (Estimate HK$600,000-800,000). © Bonhams 2001-2023

The flattened rectangular vessel supported on four cabriole legs issuing from heads of mythical beast, surmounted by two upright loop handles, the exterior vibrantly enamelled with two red confronting dragons in mutual pursuit of a pearl enclosing a shou character, amidst undulating ruyi cloud scrolls and swastika symbols, the narrow sides decorated with a bajixiang fish emblem surrounded by blooming flowers, all between a keyfret border and a band of lappets, the underside with a red-enamelled six-character reign mark within a rectangular frame, all reserved on a turquoise ground, fitted box (2). 

Note: Wanli mark and period cloisonné vessels of this form are extremely rare, and are only found in a selected number of museum and private collections.
For a similar example of a Wanli period incense burner of fangding form in the Palace Museum, Beijing, see Metal-Bodied Enamel Ware: The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum, p. 53, pl. 51, where the original Wanli mark has been replaced by a Jingtai mark. Another example of this type, but with a replacement cover, was sold at Sotheby's New York, 18 September 2007, lot 136. For a larger example of Wanli rectangular incense burner and cover but with a similar decoration and form, compare one sold at our London rooms, 5 November 2007, lot 98.
See Garner, Chinese and Japanese Cloisonné Enamels, p. 67, and pls. 47a and b, for a small box and cover with similar shou medallions from the collection of Sir Percival David, now in the collection of Pierre Uldry, included in the exhibition Chinesisches Cloisonné, Museum Rietberg, Zurich, 1985, cat. no. 112; and Garner, op. cit., pl. 47c, for a dish, both with a six-character mark within a rectangular panel on a 'cloud swirl' ground similar to the present piece. See also an example of similar form and decoration but much larger, formerly in the collection of Sir Basil Gould, sold in our London rooms, 5 November 2007, lot 98. Please refer to the essay by Zhang Rong in this catalogue for further discussion on this lot.

Lot 862. An exquisite and rare imperial cloisonné enamel 'peach and pomegranate' vessel, Qianlong period (1736-1795); 30.2cm long. Sold for HK$1,020,000 (Estimate HK$800,000-1,200,000). © Bonhams 2001-2023

Superbly and naturalistically modelled in the form of a peach and pomegranate bearing smaller fruit in high relief, borne from gilt-bronze gnarled branches resembling the head of a dragon and crane at the same time, the exterior vividly decorated in green, white, red, yellow and brown enamels with leafy stems bearing plum blossoms while the pomegranate bursting open revealing its seeds, all surrounded by gilt-decorated ruyi clouds, the interior with delicate plum blossoms on a "crackled ice" ground.

Provenance: The Chang Foundation Collection.

Exhibited and published: Chinese Treasures from the Chang Foundation, Shoto Museum of Art, Tokyo, 2001, p. 97, no. 111.

Lot 863. A magnificent imperial cloisonné enamel archaistic incense burner and cover, fanding, Qianlong period (1736-1795); 47.5cm high. Sold for HK$1,528,000 (Estimate HK$1,200,000-1,500,000). © Bonhams 2001-2023

Brilliantly enamelled in vibrant tones of yellow, pink, red, blue, white and green with three friezes of taotie mask on each side, all reserved on a bright turquoise ground, divided at the centre and corners with raised vertical flanges, rising from four splayed foot emerging from mythical beast masks, to a pair of upright loop handles decorated with taotie mask, the rectangular domed cover decorated with leiwen borders neatly divided by gilt-bronze scrolling flower in openwork, the top panel enclosing scrolling floral sprays, all surmounted by a gilt-bronze ferocious Buddhist lion with one paw resting on a brocade ball, fitted box. (3)

Provenance: The Chang Foundation Collection.

Exhibited and published: Chinese Treasures from the Chang Foundation, Shoto Museum of Art, Tokyo, 2001, p. 97, no. 110.

Lot 864. A superb cloisonné enamel 'lotus incense burner and cover, 15th-16th century; 18.5cm long. Sold for HK$537,400 (Estimate HK$200,000-300,000). © Bonhams 2001-2023

The flattened bulbous body rising from three cabriole legs to a pair of curving C-shaped loop handles, the body vividly decorated in bright enamels of red, yellow, blue, emerald-green and milky-white, with alternating blossoming lotus borne on leafy tendrils, the legs decorated with leafy scrolls bearing lotus buds, all reserved on a turquoise ground, surmounted by a keyfret border on a red ground, divided by a gilt-bronze rib, the top of the cover decorated with a gilt-bronze writhing mythical beast encircled by a band of green and blue-enamelled swirling waves, all within two bands of leafy scrolls and ruyi-shaped clouds. (2)

Provenance: The Chang Foundation Collection.

Note: Introduced into China in the 14th century during the Yuan dynasty, cloisonne enamel wares are widely considered to have reached artistic maturity during the first half of the 15th century, where the production was strictly regulated by the Yuyongjian, a division of the Imperial Household. The present lot is remarkable for its superb quality of its execution of vibrant multi-coloured depiction of the blooming lotus as well as the leafy scrolls. It is also particularly rare example of this period, bearing a pair of upright curving handles.

See two examples of same form and decoration, illustrated in Chinese Cloisonne. The Pierre Uldry Collection, New York, 1989, cat. No. 15; and another Cloisonne. Chinese Enamels from the Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties, New York, 2011, cat. No. 23. a cloisonne enamel incense burner of this form, sold at Christie's London, 16 November 1998, lot 3; compare also an example sold at Sotheby's New York, 21 March 2018, lot 587.

Bonhams. FINE CHINESE CERAMICS AND WORKS OF ART, 29 November 2023, Hong Kong, Admiralty