Page 198 - Bonhams Fine Chinese Art Nov 2013 Hong Kong

390
A rare and large gilt-bronze and cloisonné enamel circular plaque
Qianlong
The circular plaque featuring a central peony blossom, the sides subtly
divided into eight sections comprising various species of foliage,
including prunus, grapevine, chrysanthemum, peony, hollyhock, apricot
blossom and wisteria, double gourd and others issuing from gnarled
leafy branches, all finely enamelled in vivid tones of white, yellow, red,
green, blue and aubergine on a rich turquoise ground, framed.
59cm diam.
HK$300,000 - 500,000
US$39,000 - 65,000

清乾隆 銅胎掐絲琺瑯百花紋大圓屏
It is exceedingly rare to find gilt-bronze and cloisonné enamel pieces
decorated with such varieties of flowers. Besides the usual auspicious
choices of chrysanthemum, double gourds, grapevines and peony; the
enormous plaque also depicts rarely seen species of wisteria, hollyhock,
and apricot blossoms as well. Such plaques would have been an
appropriate piece to celebrate the arrival of Spring.
See an example of a gilt-bronze and cloisonné enamel tianqiuping also
with elaborate floral designs from the Qing Court collection, in the
Palace Museum, Beijing, illustrated in Metal-bodied Enamel Ware. The
Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum, Shanghai,
2001, p.100, no.97. However, this Imperial example which is also
dated to the Qianlong period, contains less varied species of foliate in
comparison to the current lot. Compare also another gilt-bronze and
cloisonné enamel basin from the Juan Jose Amezaga collection, also
decorated with a rare and wide selection of floral motifs, which was sold
at Christie’s Paris, Cloisonnés D’Exception. Collection Juan Jose Amezaga.
Partie I, 13 June 2007, lot 34.

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