Page 249 - Sothebys Speelman Gems of Chinese Art

Cloisonné enamel representations of exotic mythical beasts Compare also a figure of a mythical beast (tianlu) similarly
rank amongst the highest quality of all Imperial enamel cast with a zun on its back in the National Palace Museum,
workmanship created for the Qianlong court. The current Taipei, incised under the body with a four-character Qianlong
example, majestically modelled in the form of a qilin with an mark, illustrated in Enamel Ware in the Ming and Ch’ing
auspicious zun saddled on its back, is a superb example in a Dynasty, National Palace Museum, Taipei, 1999, no. 43. For
dynamic posture, skilfully depicting the bristling lifelike quality other Qianlong cloisonné enamel reign-marked animal figures
and impending movement of the figure. The enamelling of of similar quality sold at auction, see the crouching tiger
the figure is of exceptional quality, skilfully modelled and from the collection of General Charles George Gordon, sold
enamelled in brilliant cloisons, with no expense spared to the at Christie’s London, 5th December 1994, lot 259 and again
lavish gilding throughout. It is especially notable for the rare at Sotheby’s London, 9th November 2011, lot 400, from the
four-character mark, intricately cast in intaglio and skilfully collection of Sir Peter Moores, and a pair of duck-form ewers
incorporated into the noseband of the bridle. from the collection of Juan Jose Amezaga, sold at Christie’s
Paris, 13th June 2007, lot 24.
Only a small number of Qianlong cloisonné enamel animal-
form vessels of this quality is preserved in museum For an unmarked cloisonne enamel figure of a qilin attributed
collections. The closest related example from the Qing Court to the Qianlong period, see the example in the collection of the
collection and still in Beijing is a cockerel-form vase supporting Musée des Arts Decoratifs, Paris, illustrated in Beatrice Quette
a zun and resting on elaborate wheels, illustrated in The ed., Cloisonne: Chinese Enamels from the Yuan, Ming and
Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum. Qing Dynasties, New York, 2011, p. 278, cat. no. 107.
Metal-bodied Enamel Ware, Hong Kong, 2002, no. 122. It has
the more commonly found mark incised in a cartouche on the
underside.

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