A VERY RARE MOULDED 'OCCIDENTAL' STYLE BALUSTER VASE

细节

A VERY RARE MOULDED 'OCCIDENTAL' STYLE BALUSTER VASE
GILT AND INCISED QIANLONG SEAL MARK AND OF THE PERIOD

The coral-red enamelled baluster body decorated in part with finely crackled green enamel splashes, moulded above the shoulders with a border of bats in coral-red against a ground of moulded gilded chrysanthemum petals, the neck decorated with undulating flutes to the mouth rim impressed with a key-fret band in gilt, a pair of monster masks with ring handles flanking the shoulders, the lower half of the vase moulded with a band of large petals and leaves, tapering to a diaper band and a flared stepped foot encircled with lotus petals, all in gilt, the interior and base enamelled in coral-red
13 in. (33 cm.) high

拍品专文

It is highly possible that very fine gold sheets were applied onto the surface of the vase in much the same technique as gold found on kinrande wares of the late Ming period.

The exuberant decorative style and moulding on this vase are typical examples of emperor Qianlong's flamboyant taste in 'Occidentalism' which can also been seen in the buildings of the Yuanming Yuan; the large 'European-style' leaves arranged around the base of the vase appear on existing architectural ruins of the garden.

It is interesting to note, however, despite the European imagery the potters were unable to resist adding a line of bats along the shoulder, a clear ironic statement of its Chinese origin.

(US$40,000-50,000)