Lot 80. An imperial and very rare yellow-ground famille rose 'nine dragons' hat stand, Daoguang six-character seal mark in gilt and of the period (1821-1850). Estimate GBP 200,000 - GBP 300,000 (USD 246,600 - USD 369,900). Photo Christie's Images Ltd 2016.
The finely enamelled hat stand is decorated to the top with reticulated roundels enclosing pink stylised bats, set against a lemon-yellow ground with nine five-clawed dragons amidst clouds and flames. The mid-section is shaped as an archaistic vase with a lotus-form mouth supporting the top section, with the exterior enamelled with bats and lotus sprays. The lower bell-form section has further lotus scrolls, with four blue archaistic dragon-form supports, all raised on a foliate gilt-decorated base with ruyi-form feet. 10 ¾ in. (27.3 cm.) high
Christie's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, 8 November 2016, London, King Street