CHINE, DYNASTIE QING, MARQUES À SIX CARACTÈRES EN CACHET ET ÉPOQUE QIANLONG (1736-1795)

It is very unusual to find a pair of 'European-subject' vases of this magnificent quality and size. They were likely commissioned by the Imperial court from the Guangzhou workshops. The subject matter epitomizes the Qianlong emperor's fascination with the West. Jesuit missionaries were credited with introducing famille rose enamels and painting on copper to the Qianlong imperial court and the manner in which the figures are painted, with their fleshy tones and use of chiaroscuro, demonstrates the European painting style.
A large painted enamel vase, Qianlong seal mark and period, decorated with a cartouche enclosing European figures by Western-style buildings in a tree-lined river landscape in the Beijing Palace Collection is illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum, Metal Bodied Enamel Ware, vol. 43, Hong Kong, 2002, p226, pl. 215. A lantern-shaped painted enamel vase with figures in a mountainous landscape with pavilions in the Palace Collection, is illustrated op.cit., p242, pl. 229. A Qianlong-marked painted enamel vase with European subject was sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 3 December 2008, lot 2520. The trees and buildings depicted on the present vases can be stylistically compared to the those on the 'European-subject' painted enamel vase, Qianlong mark and period, sold at Bonhams Hong Kong, 24 November 2012, lot 540.