Lot 3295. A fine teadust-glazed vase, Qianlong incised six-character seal mark and of the period (1736-1795); 12 5/8 in. (32.1 cm.) high. Estimate HKD 600,000 - HKD 800,000. Price realised HKD 1,120,000. © Christie’s Image Ltd 2014.  

The sturdily potted vase is evenly covered with a lustrous olive-green glaze with yellow speckles, thinning to russet on the mouth rim. The foot ring is applied with a brown dressing, wood stand, Japanese wood box.  

Provenance: A Japanese family collection, Kobe, acquired between 1910 and 1930.

Note: A similar vase with Qianlong mark in the Victoria and Albert Museum is illustrated by R. Kerr, Chinese Ceramics, Porcelain of the Qing Dynasty, 1644 - 1911, London, 1986, fig. 25.; and another is illustrated by R. Krahl, Chinese Ceramics in the Meiyintang Collection, vol. 2, London, 1994, pp. 256-7, no. 936. Compare, also, the similar vase from the collection of Mr. and Mrs. James Breece III sold at Christie's New York, 18 September 2003, lot 342.

Lot 3297. A copper-red glazed brush washer, Qianlong six-character seal mark in underglaze blue and of the period (1736-1795); 9 in. (22.9 cm.) diam. Estimate HKD 700,000 - HKD 900,000. Price realised HKD 937,500. © Christie’s Image Ltd 2014.  

The rounded body of the washer is covered on the exterior with a deep red glaze with mottling, the interior and base covered with a transparent glaze.

Lot 3280. An imperial blue-ground gilt-decorated 'Butterfly and gourd' vase, Jiaqing six-character seal mark in iron red and of the period (1796-1820); 12 1/4 in. (31.1 cm.) high. Estimate HKD 2,600,000 - HKD 4,000,000. Price realised HKD 5,200,000. © Christie's Image Ltd 2014.  

The vase is delicately enamelled in two tones of gilt on a sapphire-blue ground with a continuous vine bearing gourds and leaves, interspersed wtih fluttering butterflies. The base is enamelled in turquoise, reserving the iron-red seal mark.

Note: The motifs on the present vase are exceptionally well rendered with fine delineation and different tonalities of gold creating sharp contrast with the sapphire-blue ground. The combination of butterflies and gourds form the auspicious rebus guadie mianmian, 'May you have ceaseless generatinos of descendants'.

Christie's. Important Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, Hong Kong, 26 November 2014

Lot 3281. A rare imperial coral-ground gilt-decorated bottle vase, Xianfeng six-character mark in iron red and of the period (1851-1861); 12 1/4 in. (31.1 cm.) high. Estimate HKD 1,500,000 - HKD 2,800,000. Price realised HKD 3,400,000. © Christie's Image Ltd 2014.  

The vase is delicately enamelled in gilt on the neck with blooming lotus flowers each enclosing a Wan symbol borne on scrolling tendrils, the globular body decorated with further scrolling lotus interspersed with bats each suspending a Ji character.

Note: Imperial porcelain produced during the Xianfeng period are rare, partially due to the relatively short reign of the Emperor, but also due to the Taiping Rebellion which broke out in the fifth year of the Xianfeng reign, during which the Jingdezhen Imperial kilns were largely destroyed by the rebellion forces, and were not rebuilt until later in the Tongzhi reign. Most of the Imperial Xianfeng porcelain bear a reign mark in standard script, just like the present vase, while stylistically are much in line with Jiaqing and Daoguang Imperial wares. Compare for example to a Jiaqing-marked coral-ground gilt-decorated vase from the Huaihaitang Collection, which bears an almost identical decoration as that on the present vase, illustrated in Ethereal Elegance: Porcelain Vases of the Imperial Qing, Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2007, pl. 83. Compare also to another Jiaqing-marked coral-ground quatrefoil vase gilt-decorated with similar lotus motifs, sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 1 June 2011, lot 3654.

Christie's. Important Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, Hong Kong, 26 November 2014

Lot 3290. A rare aubergine and green-glazed 'Dragon' dish, Kangxi six-character mark in underglaze blue within a double circle and of the period (1662-1722); 9 7/8 in. (25 cm.) diam. Estimate HKD 1,000,000 - HKD 1,500,000. Price realised HKD 1,240,000. © Christie's Image Ltd 2014.  

The interior is incised with a five-clawed dragon amidst clouds and flames in pursuit of a flaming pearl. The well and the exterior are encircled by two further striding dragons all decorated in aubergine reserved against a green ground, box.

Note: During the Qianlong period, regulations were enforced to specify designs and combinations allowed for use by Imperial household members. Dishes with green ground and aubergine dragons can be assigned to the fifth rank concubine, guiren, as quoted from the Regulation of the Palace of the Qing Dynasty. A similar dish in the Palace Museum, Beijing, is illustrated in Miscellaneous Enamelled Porcelains Plain Tricoloured Porcelains, The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum, Shanghai, 2009, no. 128.

Dish. Porcelain with incised decoration of dragons, flames and clouds and white, green and aubergine glazes. Six character Kangxi reign mark in underglaze blue within a double circle on the base. China, Jiangxi province, Jingdezhen. Kangxi period, AD 1662-1722. Diameter 31.3 cm. Donated by George Eumorfopoulos (GE 2857). © Benaki Museum.

Christie's. Important Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, Hong Kong, 26 November 2014

Lot 3303. A fine famille verte'dragon' dish, Kangxi six-character mark in underglaze blue within a double circle and of the period (1662-1722); 9 7/8 in. (25.1 cm.) diam. Estimate HKD 800,000 - HKD 1,200,000. Price realised HKD 1,360,000. © Christie's Image Ltd 2014.  

The dish is potted with shallow rounded sides rising to an everted rim, raised on a wedge-shaped foot. Covered overall in a cream glaze, the interior is decorated with leafy branches bearing peaches and pomegranates rendered in colourful shades of green, yellow, aubergine and blue. The exterior is enamelled in a similar palette, with two leafy sprays bearing camellia and rose blooms with associated buds. Both the interior and exterior are further decorated with delicate incised decoration depicting scenes of dragons chasing flaming pearls, Japanese wood box.

Note:Several similar dishes bearing this double-decoration are known, including one illustrated in Chinese Porcelain, The S.C. Tianminlou Collection, vol. 1, Hong Kong Museum of Art, Hong Kong, 1987, no. 80; another in Imperial Perfection, The Palace Porcelains of Three Chinese Emperors: A Selection from the Wang Xing Lou Collection, Hong Kong, 2004, no. 28; and an example formerly from the British Rail Pension Fund which subsequently entered the Meiyintang Collection, illustrated in Chinese Ceramics from the Meiyintang Collection, volume 4 (II), London, 2010, pp. 376-377, no. 1818. Also see examples of bowls decorated in this style, such as one example illustrated in Treasures in the Royalty: The Official Kiln Porcelain of the Chinese Qing Dynasty, Shanghai, 2003, p. 67 and another example sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 29 May 2013, lot 2114.

Sancai Dish with Design of Cloud, Dragon and Fruit Trees on White Ground, Kangxi reign. Photo Capital Museum.

From the Meiyintang Collection. A Biscuit-Enamelled Sancai Dish, Mark and Period of Kangxi (1662-1722); 25 cm, 9 7/8 in. Estimate 1,000,000 - 1,500,000 HKD. Lot sold 1,220,000 HKD at Hong Kong, 09 oct. 2012, lot 29. Photo Sotheby's.

Cf. my post: A Biscuit-Enamelled Sancai Dish, Mark and Period of Kangxi (1662-1722) 

Christie's. Important Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, Hong Kong, 26 November 2014.

Lot 3298. A famille verte phoenix-tail vase, Kangxi period (1662-1722); 17 in. (43.2 cm.). Estimate HKD 400,000 - HKD 600,000. Price realised HKD 500,000. © Christie's Image Ltd 2014.  

The trumpet-shaped neck is decorated with phoenix birds flying amidst flowering peonies, all reserved against an iron-red ground with white stylised ruyi and scrolls.

Provenance: Parke-Bernet Galleries, Inc., New York, 4 November 1965, lot 85
J.T. Tai & Co. Collection, sold at Sotheby's New York, 22 March 2011. lot 321.

Lot 3302. A rare Ming-style doucai'Chicken' cup, Kangxi period (1662-1722); 3 1/4 in. (8.2 cm.) diam. Estimate HKD 1,000,000 - HKD 1,500,000. Price realised HKD 1,240,000. © Christie's Image Ltd 2014.  

The cup is finely potted with thin rounded sides, delicately painted to the exterior with a continuous scene depicting cockerels, hens and chicks beside flowers and rocks, set between a double-line border around the mouth rim and a single line above the foot. The base bears an apocryphal six-character Chenghua mark within a double square.

Note: Several Qing period examples of 'chicken' cups simulating those that were produced in the Ming dynasty Chenghua period (1465-1487) are known, including one in the Beijing Palace Museum Collection, illustrated in Porcelains in Polychrome and Contrasting Colours, The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum, Hong Kong, 1999, p. 231, no. 212; and another one in the Percival David Collection, illustrated by R. Scott in Imperial Taste, Chinese Ceramics from the Percival David Foundation, San Francisco, 1989, p. 75, no. 44.

Lot 3304. A very rare doucai'Dragon' dish, Qianlong six-character seal mark and of the period (1736-1795); 7 7/8 in. (20.1 cm.) diam. Estimate HKD 1,500,000 - HKD 2,600,000. Price realised HKD 1,720,000. © Christie's Image Ltd 2014.  

The dish is decorated with underglaze blue outlines and overglaze enamels in doucai style, on the interior with a central medallion containing a writhing five-clawed dragon chasing an iron red flaming pearl amidst clouds and five colourful extended clouds on the cavetto, the exterior with multi-coloured clouds and cresting waves, stand, Japanese wood box.

Provenance: The Manno Art Museum Collection
Sold at Christie's London, 21 June 2001, lot 103

Note: A slightly smaller Yongzheng doucai dish of this design was sold at Christie's Hong Kong in October 1990, lot 505, and a pair of Yongzheng doucai saucer dishes with this design were also sold at Christie's Hong Kong in March 1991, lot 592.

Lot 3306. A rare doucai 'Swallows and Lotus pond' dish, Yongzheng six-charactermark in underglaze blue within a double circle and of the period (1723-1735); 6 in. (15.2 cm.) diam. Estimate HKD 700,000 - HKD 900,000. Price realised HKD 1,120,000. © Christie's Image Ltd 2014. 

The dish is delicately enamelled in a soft palette on the interior of with two swallows above a lotus pond with crested waves, the exterior similarly decorated with swallows in flight amidst lotus stalks rising above waves, box.

Provenance: Sold at Christie's London, 11 June 1990, lot 152.

Lot 3307.  A fine pair of doucai'Mandarin duck and lotus' bowls, Qianlongsix-character seal mark in underglaze blue and of the period (1736-1795); 4 in. (10.3 cm.) diam. Estimate HKD 600,000 - HKD 800,000. Price realised HKD 1,000,000. © Christie's Image Ltd 2014.

The bowls are each delicately potted and decorated with two pairs of mandarin ducks swimming amongst lotus and reed sprays, all above a lappet border. The interiors are each decorated with a medallion enclosing a similar scene, all within double line borders, box. 

Exhibited: S. Marchant & Son, London, Imperial Porcelain of Kangxi, Yongzheng and Qianlong, June 9-25 1996, no. 41.

Note: This ducks-in-lotus-pond theme was typical of the decorative style of the Ming dynasty. A bowl with a very similar decoration excavated from the Zhengtong stratum of the Imperial kiln site at Jingdezhen is illustrated by R. Scott, Orientations, April 1992, fig. 12; and for a Xuande prototype of this pattern, cf. Imperial Porcelain of the Yongle and Xuande Periods Excavated from the Ming Imperial Factory at Jingdezhen, Hong Kong, 1989, no. 89.

A very similar pair of bowls decorated with ducks in lotus ponds can be found in Ch'ing Porcelain from the Wah Kwong Collection, Chinese University of Hong Kong, November 1973 - February 1974, pl 90; and another pair were sold in the E. T. Chow Collection at Sotheby's Hong Kong, 15 May 1990, lot 288. A single bowl of this pattern was sold at Sotheby's Hong Kong, 8 October 2013, lot 3023.

Lot 3311.  Afine and rare famille rose stem dish,Qianlongsix-character seal mark in underglaze blue in a lineand of the period (1736-1795); 6 3/4 in. (17.1 cm.) diam. Estimate HKD 300,000 - HKD 500,000. Price realised HKD 375,000. © Christie's Image Ltd 2014.

The dish is finely decorated on the interior with a central iron-red Shou medallion within a band of dense scrolling foliage below five iron-red bats.The base is decorated with a band of composite lotus panels and ruyi-heads above the spreading foot with overlapping leaves suspending tassels, box. 

Note: A very similar example in the Nanjing Museum was included in the exhibition, Qing Imperial Porcelain, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1995, and illustrated in the Catalogue, no 91. A similar stem dish was sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 20 March 1990, lot 660; and another from the Edward T. Chow collection, was sold at Sotheby's Hong Kong, 25 November 1980, lot 172.

Christie's. Important Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, Hong Kong, 26 November 2014

Lot 3313.  A famille rose vase, Qing dynasty, 18th century; 12 5/8 in. (32 cm.) high. Estimate HKD 1,200,000 - HKD 2,500,000. Price realised HKD 2,200,000. © Christie's Image Ltd 2014. 

The vase is colourfully enamelled with four pairs of fish tied with ribbons that suspend chimes, all reserved on a lively ground of dense scrolling lotus. The foot is surrounded by a stiff leaf band above a further band of flower scrolls and gilt classic scroll. The interior and base are enamelled turquoise, box. 

Note: A very similar example in the Nanjing Museum was included in the exhibition, Qing Imperial Porcelain, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1995, and illustrated in the Catalogue, no 91. A similar stem dish was sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 20 March 1990, lot 660; and another from the Edward T. Chow collection, was sold at Sotheby's Hong Kong, 25 November 1980, lot 172.

Christie's. Important Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, Hong Kong, 26 November 2014

Lot 3316.  A rare famille rose 'Rose blossom' month cup, Qianlong six-character seal mark in underglaze blue and of the period (1736-1795); 2 5/8 in. (6.7 cm.) diam. Estimate HKD 400,000 - HKD 600,000. Price realised HKD 875,000. © Christie's Image Ltd 2014. 

The exterior of the cup is delicately painted and enamelled representing the eleventh month with pink and iron-red roses growing beside low rockwork with an insect in flight. The reverse has an inscription which may be translated to 'Unlike the myriad blossoms that flower and wither; the rose alone is perennially red', followed by a seal mark reading Shang, 'Appreciation'.

Provenance: Sold at Sotheby's New York, 1 June 1988, lot 176.

Note: The present cup is a very rare example of a Qianlong-period re-interpretation of the Kangxi famille verte and blue and white 'month cups', rendered in the famille rose palette and inscribed with a reign mark in seal script.

Christie's. Important Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, Hong Kong, 26 November 2014

Lot 3318. A finely painted famille rose figural cup, Jiaqing four-character mark in iron-red and of the period (1796-1820); 3 1/4 in. (8.2 cm.) diam. Estimate HKD 350,000 - HKD 550,000. Price realised HKD 437,500. © Christie's Image Ltd 2014. 

The cup is well-painted and gilt depicting the poet Li Bai leaning upon a bundle of scrolls next to a wine jar and ewer. He is accompanied by two inscriptions describing Li Bai's life and story, one of which above a large lotus flower.

Provenance:Sold at Sotheby's Hong Kong, 14 November 1989, lot 306 (one of two) Sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 27 November 2007, lot 1768.

Christie's. Important Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, Hong Kong, 26 November 2014

Lot 3319. A finely painted famille rose figural cup, Jiaqing four-character mark in iron-red and of the period (1796-1820); 3 1/4 in. (8.2 cm.) diam. Estimate HKD 400,000 - HKD 600,000. Price realised HKD 500,000. © Christie's Image Ltd 2014. 

The cup is decorated and gilt depicting Dong Xian wearing official's robes and holding a hu tablet. He is accompanied by two inscriptions relating to his life and story. One of the inscriptions enclosed within a colourful border of precious objects.

Provenance: Sold at Sotheby's Hong Kong, 14 November 1989, lot 306 (one of two); sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 27 November 2007, lot 1767.

Lot 3320. A famille rose ruby-ground 'Lantern' medallion bowl, Daoguang six-character mark in underglaze blue and of the period (1821-1850); 5 7/8 in. (15 cm.) diam. Estimate HKD 150,000 - HKD 250,000. Price realised HKD 187,500. © Christie's Image Ltd 2014. 

The exterior of the bowl is elaborately decorated with four medallions enclosing the feng deng, 'Lanterns of Abundance', separated by floral sprays set against a sgraffiato ruby-ground. The interior is painted in shades of cobalt blue to depict flowering plants with jewels, surrounded by four lanterns, box.

Provenance: A German private collection, acquired in China prior to 1910.

Christie's. Important Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, Hong Kong, 26 November 2014

Lot 3327. Two famille rose 'Bitter melon and butterfly' bowls, Daoguang six-character marks in underglaze blue and of the period (1821-1850); 4 3/8 and 4 5/16 in. (11.2 and 11 cm.) diam. Estimate HKD 600,000 - HKD 800,000. Price realised HKD 562,500. © Christie's Image Ltd 2014. 

Lot 3329. A fine doucai floral bowl, Daoguang six-character mark in underglaze blue and of the period (1821-1850); 57/8 in. (15 cm.) diam. Estimate HKD 240,000 - HKD 350,000. Price realised HKD 275,000. © Christie's Image Ltd 2014.