Lot 15
15
A VERY RARE UNDERGLAZE-BLUE AND IRON-RED-DECORATED 'PHOENIX' MOON FLASK, BAOYUEPING
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A VERY RARE UNDERGLAZE-BLUE AND IRON-RED-DECORATED 'PHOENIX' MOON FLASK, BAOYUEPING

QIANLONG PERIOD (1736-1795)

Details
A VERY RARE UNDERGLAZE-BLUE AND IRON-RED-DECORATED 'PHOENIX' MOON FLASK, BAOYUEPING
QIANLONG PERIOD (1736-1795)
Each side of the vase is decorated with two large confronting phoenix with a flaming pearl and a peony bloom between them, all surrounded by iron-red floral blooms borne on scrolling foliage painted in underglaze blue. The shoulders and neck are applied with two stylised elephant-head handles.
8 5/8 in. (21.8 cm.) high
Provenance
The collection of Major the Hon. Robert Carnegie (1869-1947), and thence by descent within the family.
Christie's Paris, 22 November 2006, lot 326.
Special notice
These lots have been imported from outside the EU for sale using a Temporary Import regime. Import VAT is payable (at 5%) on the Hammer price. VAT is also payable (at 20%) on the buyer’s Premium on a VAT inclusive basis. When a buyer of such a lot has registered an EU address but wishes to export the lot or complete the import into another EU country, he must advise Christie's immediately after the auction.

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Lot Essay

The current moon flask is impressive for its skillful potting and elaborate decoration. Such flasks usually bear a Qianlong mark to the base. The base of the present vase has been ground down, and it is highly possible that it originally had a Qianlong mark. Compare this to a moon flask with underglaze-blue and pink enamels and decorated with phoenixes, illustrated in Sekai Toji Zenshu, vol.15, pl. 92 and 93, from the Matsuoka Museum of Art, Tokyo. Also see a similar flask with a Qianlong mark, sold at Sotheby's Hong Kong, 25 November 1987, lot 189. The design of phoenix, lotus and peonies decorated in underglaze-blue and iron-red can also be seen on square baluster vases from the Qianlong period, also bearing a Qianlong reign mark; two examples are illustrated in Soame Jenyns, Later Chinese Porcelain, London, 1971, pl. LXXXVI.

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