Page 106 - The Parry Collection Bonhams London November 2 2021

Fig.2 Fig.3 Fig.4

Secondly, the design of the Parry teapot, presented in this day of the Second month, stock controller Liu Shanjiu came
essay, is almost exactly the same as the designs of the and said that eunuch Hu Shijie handed over:
teapots created in the Fourth year of the Qianlong reign (see Five black lacquered mother-of-pearl inlaid of various sizes
Figs.2-4), except for some alterations in the flowers. The
painting style of these vessels is almost the same and were Three zitan boxes of various sizes
probably made by the same craftsman. Five huali boxes of various size
Thirdly, the mark on the base. The painted enamel teapot
with handles made in the Fourth year of the Qianlong reign Twenty-seven nanmu boxes of various sizes
has a blue Qianlong four-character mark in regular kaishu Decree: these boxes should be put in order and tidied, and
calligraphy, around which is a pattern of bamboo leaves and then the existing porcelain of the Qianqing Palace should be
lingzhi. (Fig.5) This is very similar to the treatment of the mark matched with the relevant size boxes. Once the porcelain is
on the Parry painted enamel teapot, except with a chilong placed in the box, a label should be applied describing the
design (Fig.6). The style of these two inscriptions is actually colour, name, grade, year etc. of the piece. If there are not
a continuation of the style of marks on painted enamel wares sufficient enough boxes, use the lacquered nanmu boxes.
from the Yongzheng reign (Figs.7-9). The painted enamel By order of the Emperor.
wares of the early Qianlong reign still retained the style of
Yongzheng reign marks. Later Qianlong painted enamel In the same month, the Twelfth day, commissioner Pan Feng,
wares only had a basic Qianlong four-character reign mark or and Li Jin reported that eunuch Hu Shijie presented:
six-character reign mark in either regular script or seal script. One-hundred zitan boxes of various sizes
They no longer had the ornamentation surrounding it.
Two-hundred and forty nanmu boxes of various sizes
Fourth, why was ‘the matching case placed in the Qianqing
Palace with the enamel vessels. By order of the Emperor’? Forty black lacquered boxes of various sizes
In checking the Archives, it is known that the Qianlong Decree: use these boxes for porcelain. By order of
Emperor in the Third year of his reign (1738) ordered porcelain the Emperor.
to be placed with their boxes in the Qianqing Palace in the
Forbidden City. The Qing Archives record that on the ‘Third On the Fourth day of the Fifth month, Chief Eunuch Gao
year of the reign of the Qianlong Emperor: the Qianqing Jinzhong reported that eunuch Hu Shijie had presented:
Palace was equipped with boxes for porcelain. On the Third Eight huali boxes of various sizes

104 | BONHAMS