Page 117 - Nov. 27 2019 Christie's Hong Kong Desk Objects

2853
A SMALL PAINTED ENAMEL FLORAL MALLET-SHAPED INCENSE
TOOL VASE
QIANLONG FOUR CHARACTER MARK IN BLUE ENAMEL WITHIN A DOUBLE SQUARE AND OF
THE PERIOD (1736-1795)
The exterior of the vase is decorated with a dense pattern of blossoming flower sprays, set
against a bright yellow ground. The mouth is encircled by a blue ruyi border and the white
base bears the blue reign mark.
3º in. (8 cm.) high, box mark
ᄓ᪪
HK$500,000-700,000 US$65,000-90,000
The richly painted pattern on the current lot, with a variety of colour gradations, highlights the
advanced skills of the palace enamellers during the 18th century. The Kangxi Emperor was
fascinated with foreign imported enamelled metalwork, and set up an enamel workshop in
the palace to develop local production of these exotic metal-bodied wares. In 1719, he enlisted
the French Jesuit missionary Jean-Baptiste Gravereau to train native artisans at the enamel
workshop the skills of enamelling. Many of the enamels on metal that were produced during
the period were inscribed with a Kangxi Yuzhi mark, reflecting his admiration for luminous
metalwork like the current vase. See a Kangxi mark and period painted enamel incense tool vase
which sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 26 November 2014, lot 2913.

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