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This vase is a masterful display of the dexterity of craftsmen the similarly lobed panels placed between doucai flower scrolls,
working in the imperial kilns during the Qianlong reign. In its in the Qing court collection and still in Beijing, published in
combination of calligraphic styles and decorative elements, The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum.
it successfully translates scroll paintings mounted on textile Porcelains with Cloisonné Enamel Decoration and Famille
borders onto a three-dimensional porcelain vase. Such vessels Rose Decoration, Hong Kong, 1999, pl. 97; and a much larger
are marvels of the Qianlong period, of which only a small turquoise-ground vase, from the Wang Xing Lou Collection,
group was produced, and represent the Qianlong Emperor’s included in the exhibition Imperial Perfection. The Palace
personal taste, which gravitated towards porcelain designs Porcelain of Three Chinese Emperors. Kangxi, Yongzheng,
that were artistically complex, and revealed his appreciation Qianlong, Minneapolis Institute of Arts, Minneapolis, 2004, cat.
for scholarship as expressed in his writings and poems. no. 53.
The poems are recorded in Yuzhi leshan tang quanji dingben Versions of this vase were also made with four panels, such
[Definitive edition of the complete works from the delight in as a smaller gold-ground vase, in the Palace Museum, Beijing,
Goodness Hall, by His Majesty), Siku quanshu ed., vol. 24, included in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the
pp. 15-16. The writings in this collection date from before Palace Museum. Porcelains with Cloisonné Enamel Decoration
he became emperor. These four poems, together with an and Famille Rose Decoration, op. cit. pl. 137; a blue-ground
additional one, were originally composed for a set of five octagonal vase in the National Palace Museum, Taipei,
paintings by Jiang Tingxi (1669-1732) illustrating peach included in the Museum’s Special Exhibition of K’ang-hsi, Yung-
blossoms and willow, mallow, prunus, lotus, and pine and cheng and Ch’ien-lung Porcelain Ware from the Ch’ing Dynasty
peony, bearing the imperial inscriptions. However, this vase is in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, 1986, cat. no. 80; and
unusual as it illustrates the musk mallow and peony along with a square vase with blue ground, sold in these rooms, 8th April
the chrysanthemum and flowering pomegranate. 2013, lot 3025. A cylindrical pink-ground vase moulded with six
lobed panels to the exterior, from the estate of Mr L.J. Pead,
The opulence of the present vase has been achieved through was also sold in these rooms, 8th April 2014, lot 3050.
the skilful juxtaposition of the scholarly decoration of the
flowers and calligraphy on a crisp white ground against the Vases bearing panels of these inscriptions and flowers
luxurious sgraffiato and flower scroll borders. Such design continued to be produced in the early years of the succeeding
also reflects the Qianlong Emperor’s taste for both the lavish reign of Jiaqing, such as a yellow-ground ovoid vase with two
and traditional. The rich web of iron-red feathery scrolls gives panels each of flowers and inscriptions, in the Qing court
the impression of a pink ground when viewed from a distance collection and still in Beijing, illustrated in The Complete
and it is only upon closer inspection that the full effect can be Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum. Porcelains with
appreciated. Furthermore, the gilt-bordered panels, mouth and Cloisonné Enamel Decoration and Famille Rose Decoration, op.
base of neck heighten the sense of extravagance. cit., pl. 169, where the author notes that this particular group
of ceramics were commissioned for the Emperor Emeritus, the
No other closely related vase appears to have been published. retired Qianlong Emperor. Another Jiaqing vase, of octagonal
There are, however, related eight-panelled vases that combine form with each side decorated with an inscription in standard
imperial poems and corresponding floral paintings. See for script alternating with flowers, was sold at Christie’s London,
example a slightly smaller cylindrical vase with a tall flared 8th November 2016, lot 83.
neck flanked by handles in the form of bats suspending tassels,
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