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Lot Essay
Shaped like double gourds, symbolizing fertility and good fortune, these vases are elegantly decorated with birds flying above large sprays of peonies on the bulbous lower section, and with lotus flowers among scrolling foliage on the upper part, all set against a turquoise-blue ground with a wan motif. The pair of strap handles are adorned with a band of gilt-bronze flowers.
This particular shape appears to be associated with the highest order of imperial works of art dating to the Qianlong reign, as would suggest a magnificent pair of famille rose vases of the same shape with exceptionally well-painted butterflies and flowers sold at Christie’s London, 9 May 2017, lot 99. A few other exemples of comparable Qianlong period cloisonné enamel double-gourd vases are known, such as a pair sold at Christie’s London, 15 May 2018, lot 4.
This particular shape appears to be associated with the highest order of imperial works of art dating to the Qianlong reign, as would suggest a magnificent pair of famille rose vases of the same shape with exceptionally well-painted butterflies and flowers sold at Christie’s London, 9 May 2017, lot 99. A few other exemples of comparable Qianlong period cloisonné enamel double-gourd vases are known, such as a pair sold at Christie’s London, 15 May 2018, lot 4.