A related cobalt blue, gilt-decorated vase is illustrated in Qing Imperial Porcelain, col. pl. 98. A small celadon bottle with a Qianlong seal mark and similar pink sash tied around the neck is illustrated in the Tsui Museum of Art, Catalogue, vol. IV, no. 179. A turquoise-ground famille rose zun vase with a similar pink-enamelled sash tied around the waist from the Palace Museum, Beijing, is illustrated in Kangxi, Yongzheng, Qianlong, p. 359, col. pl. 40 while a lime-green ground version is illustrated by Liu Liang-yu in Ch'ing Official and Popular Wares, vol. 5, p. 220.

The use of gilt decoration on a cobalt blue ground recalls the combination of gilt-copper on a ground of champleve enamel as demonstrated by two vases illustrated in Great National Treasure of China, p. 213, col. pls. 62 and 63. It is probable that the porcelain was imitating the enamel ware.

(US$40,000-45,000)