A rare famille rose lime-green-ground vase. Iron-red Jiaqing seal mark and of the period

A rare famille rose lime-green-ground vase. Iron-red Jiaqing seal mark and of the period. photo Bonhams

The ovoid vase beautifully enamelled with leafy lotus blossoms below bats alternating with Shou and Xi characters below the three auspicious fruit, pomegranate, peach and finger citron, all reserved on a lime-green ground, between a ruyi-head border on the shoulders and lotus-petal panels above the foot, the slightly-waisted neck with upright leaves. 21cm (8¼in) high. Estimate: £30,000 - 50,000, HK$350,000 - 590,000

Provenance: an Italian private collection, Lombardy, collection no.55.

The present vase is decorated in direct continuation of the Imperial style prevalent during the Qianlong reign. Compare a related famille rose lime-green-ground baluster vase, iron-red Qianlong seal mark and of the period, illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum: Porcelains with Cloisonne Enamel Decoration and Famille Rose Decoration, Hong Kong, 1999, pl.123; and see a related vase with an iron-red Jiaqing seal mark, from the Qing Court Collection, ibid, pl.173.

Compare with a similar pair, sold at Sotheby's New York on 16 September 2009, lot 233; see also a famille rose lime-green-ground tall-necked vase, Jiaqing seal mark and of the period, sold at Christie's London, 18 June 2002, lot 231.

Bonhams.  Fine Chinese Art, 13 May 2010. New Bond Street www.bonhams.com

A pair of 'famille-rose' green-enamel ground vases. Jiaqing seal marks and period. photo Sothebys

each of ovoid shape flaring from a tapered foot, painted around the exterior with a central band of lotus-head scrolls alternating with iron-red shuangxi ('Double Happiness') characters, below a register of iron-red descending bats alternating with pomegranate, peach and finger citron bouquets, picked out in pink, blue and white enamel, against a lime-green ground, the shoulder with a border of ruyi-head lappets, the slightly waisted neck with upright plantain lappets below an iron-red and gilt lipped rim, the interior and countersunk base glazed turquoise, seal mark in iron-red, wood stands, boxes (6) - height 8 1/4 in., 21 cm

PROVENANCE: Collection of Takashi Hara (Japanese Prime Minister, 1918-1921).

Sotheby's New York on 16 September 2009 www.sothebys.com

A famille rose lime green ground vase. Iron-red Jiaqing seal mark and of the period (1796-1820). photo: Christie's Images Ltd 2002

The ovoid body on a short straight foot and with a cylindrical flaring neck, enamelled with lotus, endless knots, bats and shou characters on a pale green ground above petals around the base, the interior and base glazed turquoise. 13½ in. (34.3 cm.) high - Estimate £20,000 - £30,000  Price Realized £28,680.

Christie's London, 18 June 2002 www.christies.com