Page 212 - Bonhams Fine Chinese Art Nov 2013 Hong Kong

400 Canton enamel-on-copper vases of such size and quality are extremely
An Imperial Canton enamel square vase, fang gu rare and some are believed to have been directly commissioned by the
Qianlong six-character seal mark and of the period Imperial Court from the Guangzhou workshops. The current lot differs
Exquisitely enamelled with dense lotus and stylised lotus scrolls bearing from other comparable examples in terms of the fine workmanship,
pink, golden yellow, midnight blue and aubergine blooms, clustered careful execution and the excellent condition of the enamel: it is one of
amidst curly Rococo-style leaves, vines and upward lappet borders on the best Imperial-commissioned Canton enamel gu vases to have been
a creamy lavender ground, the mid-section with a cartouche depicting offered at auction.
a shou character encircled by five bats in flight amidst wispy clouds on
each sides, the underside with a six-character Imperial zhuanshu seal The current lot would most probably have been one of five or seven
mark. pieces forming a complete set of archaistic fanggu-style or ‘reminiscing
32.4cm high. the past’ altar wares. The shou character representing longevity and
HK$600,000 - 800,000 ‘bats’ translates literally as fu; together they form the idiom fushou
US$77,000 - 100,000 which means ‘wishing you prosperity and longevity’, which suggests
that the current lot is likely to have been given to Imperial relatives, court
清乾隆 銅胎畫廣東琺瑯繁花地開光福壽紋方觚 officials or important dignitaries as a birthday gift.
藍彩「大清乾隆年製」篆書款
See also a related Imperial Canton enamel vase with European figure
subjects sold in these rooms, 24 November 2012, lot 540.

210 | Bonhams