QIANLONG PERIOD (1736-1795)

Details

A RARE IMPERIAL CLOISONNÉ ENAMEL AND GILT-BRONZE JAR
QIANLONG PERIOD (1736-1795)
The globular jar is brightly enamelled around the body with large peony blooms with yin-yang symbols to the centre, all interspersed with lotus blooms borne on leafy scrolls. The shoulder is decorated with a band of pendant ruyi heads and a further band of lotus and chrysanthemum heads just below the short mouth rim. The vase is supported on three finely cast gilt-bronze rams.
17 in. (43 cm.) high overall

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Lot Essay

This very rare jar is part of a group of fine quality cloisonné enamel vessels supported on intricate giltt-bronze figural feet. However, no other vessel dating to the Qianlong period and supported on three rams gilt-bronze feet appear to be published. For a small cloisonné enamel incense holder supported on three small gilt-bronze rams, but dated to the Ming Dynasty, see Metal-bodied Enamel Ware, The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum, Hong Kong, 2002, pl. 44, p. 46.
The ram is a symbol of filial piety, kindness and patience. The three rams, san yang, are also an auspicious motif, related both to the sun and to male children, as they provide a rebus for san yang kai tai, 'the opening up of the new growth in spring', which in turn symbolizes happiness and good fortune.

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