A Fine and Rare Pair Of 'Famille-Rose' 'Eight Daoist Immortals' Jars and Covers, Qianlong Iron-Red Seal Marks and Period

A Fine and Rare Pair Of 'Famille-Rose' 'Eight Daoist Immortals' Jars and Covers, Qianlong Iron-Red Seal Marks and Period

each exquisitely painted around the cylindrical body with the 'Eight Daoist Immortals Crossing the Sea', riding on their respective vehicles on finely combed waves, each holding an attribute and some standing in a windswept stance, the scene set between ruyi-head borders outlined in blue and white enamel, filled with a sgraffiato ruby-ground decorated with two registers of scrolling lotus, the short straight foot and neck painted with keyfrets in blue enamel, each a mirror-image of the other, surmounted by domical covers matching the ruby-red decoration and filled with yellow-ground around the rim, finished with a lotus-bud finial, the interiors and base glazed turquoise, gilding around the rims and foot (4). overall height 10 1/4 in., 26 cm. Estimate 300,000—400,000 USD

PROVENANCE: Christie's Hong Kong, 31st March 1992, lot 656.
Christie's Hong Kong, 1st May 1995, lot 675.
Thereafter with the present owner.

NOTE: The jars depict the Eight Daoist Immortals as they cross the rough sea after attending the peach festival of the Queen Mother of the West. Rather than traveling by their clouds, they combined their powers to sail pass the tempest. The proverb is a lesson on how individual strengths and gifts can be used to tackle the same obstacle.

Only one Qianlong seal mark and period vessel of lantern shape and featuring the Immortals at sea appears to have been sold at auction, in our Hong Kong rooms, 9th November 1982, lot 302. Though larger than the present examples and with a taller waisted neck, it follows the same format of ruyi-head lappets bordering the scene of the figures.

A baluster vase, also Qianlong seal mark and period, in the Qing Court collection features the Immortals on land celebrating the Queen Mother's birthday. The scene is set between green-enamel grounds decorated with scrolling lotus at the neck and the foot. See Porcelains with Cloisonne Enamel Decoration and Famille Rose Decoration: The Complete Treasure of the Palace Museum, Hong Kong, 1999, p. 120, p. 157. A covered Qianlong seal mark and period jar of similar shape and palette featuring boys at play, also in the Qing Court collection, is illustrated in op.cit., pl. 128, p. 146.

Sotheby's. Chinese Works of Art. 17 Mar 09.New York www.sothebys.com Photo courtesy Sotheby's