A RARE PAIR OF FAMILLE ROSE RETICULATED REVOLVING VASES

Details

A RARE PAIR OF FAMILLE ROSE RETICULATED REVOLVING VASES
QIANLONG SEAL MARKS IN IRON-RED AND OF THE PERIOD

Each lantern-shaped body with four reticulated roundels in iron-red and gilding pierced with pairs of chilong confronted below an hibiscus, separated by hibiscus sprays reserved on a lemon-yellow ground between blue and white key-fret borders and bands of conjoined foliate sprays reserved on a soft lime-green ground on the canted shoulder and underbody, raised on a pedestal foot decorated with further hibiscus sprays reserved on a pink ground embellished with a dense pattern of scrolling fronds penciled in ruby red between borders of key-fret and classic scroll and repeated on the revolving, waisted neck encircled by a gilded bowstring band interrupted by the pair of iron-red and gilt dragon-scroll handles, the inner cylindrical vase which is attached to the neck decorated with numerous magpies amdist a pine tree with lingzhi at its base and a finger citrus tree, the interior of the neck and the base surrounding the nianhao covered in an opaque, pale turquoise glaze, some restoration and glaze flakes
15in. (38.1cm.) high, boxes (2)

Literature

C. and M. Beurdeley, A Connoisseur's Guide to Chinese Ceramics, New York, 1974, no. 137

Lot Essay

A group of related vases and wares is illustrated in The Special Exhibition of K'ang-hsi, Yung-cheng and Ch'ien-lung Porcelain Ware in the Ch'ing Dynasty in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, 1986, Catalogue, nos. 131-137. The introduction comments on their innovative style and notes, "...new skills were brought into play. During 1743 the newly created, interlocked, rotating vases, which required extraordinary technical mastery were presented for the first time to the Emperor. This period was notable for the production of such interlocking and rotating wares, which required special skills". The skills and techniques involved were developed under the joint management of Tang Ying, supervisor of the Imperial kilns, and Lao Ko, the resident manager