Page 280 - Chinese Art Auction April 25, 2020 2020 Galerie Zacke

330 later again during the yongzheng era. The eight peaches, which create the
A lARge MINg-sTyle ‘eIghT PeAches’ bIANhu, central roundel on each side of the flask, accompanied by a single bat, are
consumed by immortals due to their mystic virtue of conferring longevity
QINg dyNAsTy on all who eat them. Peaches, symbolizing immortality (or the wish for a
long and healthy life), are common in Chinese art, appearing frequently
China, 19th – early 20th century. The moon flask robustly potted and in paintings and many other forms of art, often in association with other
painted in deep cobalt-blue using the ‘heaping and piling’ technique symbols of luck or longevity, such as the bats present on this flask. The skill
with a central roundel of eight peaches and a bat on each side, of the decorator can be seen in the fact that he has managed to combine all
surrounded by lotus blooms borne on meandering leafy scrolls, these styles to create an interesting and harmonious overall design.
the foot with a band of lingzhi below a lappet border, the neck with
elephant handles. The handles on flasks of this type vary from simple straps to multiple
clouds. However, the handles on this flask are modeled as archaistic
Provenance: Acquired in China during the 1940s by a Swiss civil elephant heads and springing lingzhi. These create particularly attractive
engineer and thence by descent in the same family. handles, but their slender form and the small area of contact with the neck
condition: Only minor wear and minimal firing flaws. Extremely rare in of the vessel make it clear that these handles were not for use, but strictly
this magnificent state of preservation! for decorative purposes, to provide balance to the overall shape.
Weight: 9.6 kg Note the six-character Qianlong seal mark at the base.
Dimensions: Height 51 cm Auction result comparison: Compare with a related moon flask at Christies
London in Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, 10 May 2011, lot 270,
This circular flattened flask form with decorative side handles appears to sold for GBP £79,250.
have entered the Chinese porcelain repertoire through the influence of
glass vessels from Western Asia. Such forms became established in the 大型仿明纏枝仙桃青花象鼻雙耳扁壺，清代
early 15th century and reached new heights of popularity and inventive 中國，十九至二十世紀初。 扁壺又稱“抱月瓶”，此瓶中央可見八個仙桃，每側一
decoration in the 18th century. 隻蝙蝠，周圍西番蓮纏枝紋。
來源： 購於1940年代在中國工作的瑞士工程師，自此保存於同一家族至今。
This large flask shows an interesting combination of decorative styles, all 品相： 僅輕微磨損與燒製瑕疵，極爲稀有。
with a touch of archaism, which reflects the increasing fascination with 重量： 9.6 公斤
antiques in the mid-Qing period. The lotus scrolls encircling both sides 尺寸： 高 51 厘米
of the flask resemble those of early porcelains from the Ming dynasty.
The lingzhi, that create a band around the foot, are found on some of estimate euR 3.000,-
the most important porcelains from the yongle and Xuande periods, and Starting price EUr 1.500,-

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