It is noteworthy that where Qianlong-period famille rose brightly coloured-ground vases occur, they are made with fancy handles. Compare the present example with the similarly-shaped pair of lime-green vases, formerly of The Fonthill Family Heirlooms Collection, sold in these Rooms, 4 November 1996, lot 813. For other examples, cf. a vase also sold in these Rooms, 1 May 1995, lot 673, with bat handles suspending lingzhi sprigs; a vase with elephant-head handles sold in these Rooms, 30 October 1995, lot 757; and a vase offered in Hong Kong, 28 April 1992, lot 186, with 'gate-lintel' handles. Similarly, the shapes of the vases themselves are usually eccentric, belonging to the more flamboyant group of Qianlong wares which owe little to tradition but demonstrate contemporary taste.

(US$35,000-40,000)