AN IMPERIAL FAMILLE ROSE EUROPEAN-SUBJECT CANTON ENAMEL BOTTLE

QIANLONG FOUR-CHARACTER BLUE ENAMEL MARK AND OF THE PERIOD, 1736-1795

Details

AN IMPERIAL FAMILLE ROSE EUROPEAN-SUBJECT CANTON ENAMEL BOTTLE
Qianlong four-character blue enamel mark and of the period, 1736-1795
Of rounded baluster shape, painted with an ogival panel to each side, one depicting a bearded turbaned gentleman and a young boy before European buildings and a blue sky, the other depicting a mother and boy before a similar backdrop, all on a mustard-yellow ground with scrolling foliage and stylized lotus, stopper
26in. (5.8cm.) high

Provenance

The J & J Collection
The Eric Young Collection
Sotheby's, New York, 24 April 1989, lot 67
Robert Hall, London, 1992

Literature

I.C.S.B.S., Journal, September, 1980, frontispiece
Robert Hall, Chinese Snuff Bottles III, Hong Kong, 1990, p. 135, no. 80
Rachelle R. Holden, Rivers and Mountains Far From the World, Hong Kong, 1994, pp. 254-255, no. 111

Lot Essay

See Robert Hall, op.cit, p. 135, where the author discusses the dual development of enamel painting under European supervision, in Beijing and Guangzhou (Canton) during the eighteenth century. In reference to this bottle the author states,"This is a very rare example of such a southern production made for the court during the Qianlong period, and although subtle details of style suggest its Guangzhou (Canton) origins, it sets out to be, in terms of weight, quality and floral border style, a northern product in all but place of manufacture."

For a Qianlong-marked Imperial enamel bottle of identical shape but painted with birds amidst trees, see Robert Kleiner, Chinese Snuff Bottles in the Collection of George and Mary Bloch, Hong Kong, 1995, pp. 32-33, no. 17.

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