Page 44 - 2019 October Qing Imperial Porcelain Sotheby's Hong Kong

QIANLONG ‘ANBAXIAN’ MOONFLASK

A PERFECT BIRTHDAY GIFT

This magnificent flask represents the height of ceramics
production at the imperial kilns at Jingdezhen in Jiangxi
province during the Qianlong reign (1736-1795). It is an
exceptional piece for its challenging shape as well as its
massive size and would have required the highest technical
skill of the craftsmen. The vessel is further striking for its rich
decoration, which is exceedingly rare.
The exuberant display of auspicious messages on this
moonflask, combining Buddhist and Daoist motifs as well
as traditional Chinese wishes for happiness and longevity,
interestingly reflects the Qing Court’s attitudes towards
Buddhism, Daoism and Chinese culture. Essentially foreign
to the Manchu rulers, they were all three fully embraced,
promoted and observed. It is well known that the Qianlong
Emperor was a fervent follower of Tibetan Buddhism, but
Daoism also fell under his religious patronage. During his
reign, worship took place at several Daoist altars in the
palaces in Beijing and at the Yuanmingyuan. Daoist rites
were equally performed as part of the Emperor’s birthday
celebrations, together with Tibetan Buddhist and Chinese
Buddhist rituals.
On the present piece, the auspicious symbols are superbly
painted over the entire surface, yet seemingly in order of
importance: Buddhist and Daoist emblems accompanied
by shou characters as principal decoration, and bats among
swirling clouds as Chinese good fortune signs around the
edges, neck and foot.