A FINE BLUE AND WHITE OGEE SHAPED BOWL, Qianlong (1736-1795), painted to the centre with a six-point ruyi medallion within a narrow border of interlinked classic scrolls, the flared sides set with eight Buddhist emblems, with ribbon ties, the exterior with five bats above rolling waves, squared seal mark to base, 20.3cm diameter Private Devotions in Public SpacesThe Qianlong Emperor (reigning from 1736 to 1795) had a deep personal adherence to Tibetan Buddhism, his devotion being evinced both in grand public gestures in its support and in his private studies. Not only did he learn the Tibetan language, he also translated certain Buddhist scriptures. While it could be said that, in his capacity as a wily political hat-wearer, Qianlong was fully aware that his stance would endear him among prominent ethnic groups in China like the Mongols, among whom Tibetan Buddhism was revered, and that it would garner political advantages, there can be little doubt that his adherence was also something more deeply felt, not merely a lip service calculated to curry favour. Unsurprisingly, therefore, this personal spiritual commitment was dimensioned in the arts of Qianlong’s glittering court, and here, porcelain would come into its own, as it had done for many an emperor in days gone by who would seek not only to see himself surrounded by objects of intrinsic aesthetic beauty, but ones which also released meaning and resonated with the values and aspirations that he held dear. The present blue and white dish is a case in point, for in its choice of decorative motifs, it celebrates some of Buddhism’s most familiar images, notably the Eight Buddhistic Emblems painted around its cavetto in tones of rich cobalt blue on a fine white ceramic body. (Its visual impact in this respect compares closely with that of lot 31 in the present sale, another Qianlong-marked piece, a blue and white ‘squirrels and grapevine’ bowl.) A number of dishes with this particular design scheme are known, especially in the polychrome palette of doucai enamels, but are much rarer in blue and white; compare with the present lot Christies, Hong Kong, 30 May 2012, lot 4176.Prof. Alan. J Fletcher, MRIA