QIANLONG INCISED FOUR-CHARACTER MARK AND OF THE PERIOD (1736-1795)

Details

A CHINESE CLOISONNÉ ENAMEL SMALL BOTTLE VASE
QIANLONG INCISED FOUR-CHARACTER MARK AND OF THE PERIOD (1736-1795)
Enamelled around the globular body and slender neck with lotus blooms amongst leafy scrolling foliage, all between two bands of ruyi-heads to the mouth and foot, the gilt base incised with the reign mark in a horizontal line, above the character ren for 'benevolence'

5 5/8 in. (14.5 cm.) high

Provenance

Anonymous sale; Christie's, Paris, 11 December 2013, lot 115.

Brought to you by

Charlotte Young

cyoung@christies.com +44 (0)20 7389 2730

Lot Essay

The additional inscription seen on some Qing cloisonné enamel pieces is discussed by Brinker and Lutz in Chinese Cloisonné: The Pierre Uldry Collection, New York, 1989. This inscription may appear as a single number between one and five or as an obscure character indicating the vessel's usage and category. This extra character is also seen on some imperial glass wares and is believed by some scholars to be a serial number taken from the Chinese classic Qianziwen, 'The One Thousand Word Essay'.

More from Rooms as Portraits: Michael S. Smith, Eaton Square, London

View All