A BLUE CLOISONNÉ 'IMPERIAL POEM' WALL VASE Late Qing dynastyPROPERTY OF ANOTHER OWNERA BLUE CLOISONNÉ 'IMPERIAL POEM' WALL VASELate Qing dynastyOf faceted baluster form, the principal side centered by a gilt-metal plate inscribed with a poem attributed to a son of the Qianlong emperor and followed by zichen Yongxuan jingshu ('respectfully written by the son and official Yongxuan'), set against a rich cobalt-blue cloisonné enamel ground patterned with gilt-metal cloisons in the form of scrolling lotus vines, all between a keyfret band above and a ruyi band below, affixed to a gilt-metal stand supported on ruyi-head feet and cast with composite floral scroll, the verso a plain gilt-metal sheet pierced for suspension. 10 7/8in (27.6cm) highProvenance:Sara Fredericks (1903-1986), likely acquired in the 1960s in New York, thence by descentThe even, royal blue enameling on the present wall vase, the large format, and the carefully repeating pattern of lotus scroll in the gilt-wire cloisons attest to the technical skill and the taste of the late Qing dynasty. So, too, does the reference in the inscription to the High Qing period. The poem is apocryphally signed zichen Yongxuan jingshu ('respectfully written by the son and official Yongxuan'). Prince Yongxuan (1746-1832), the eighth son of the Qianlong emperor (r. 1736-1795), was also known as Prince Yi of the First Rank, and posthumously as Prince Yishen of the First Rank. He was the longest living Qing dynasty imperial prince. During his lifetime, a number of cloisonné wall vases were produced which bear his poems and are signed in the same manner as the present. The collection of the National Palace Museum, Taipei, includes numerous such wall vases, including a rare example with celadon-toned monochrome cloisonné enamel imitating a Guanyao vase (coll. no. 中琺000576). The same collection also includes a monochrome blue-enameled cloisonné censer signed zichen Yongxuan jingshu (coll no. 中琺000159), the lotus-pattern on which may have inspired the present wall vase.The text reads:憐惟有態全贏李，羞是無香略遜梅，所幸一籌勝枝上，展圖常得見花開。御題杏花 子臣永璇敬書Sara Fredericks (1903-1986) was a socialite and premier retailer who specialized in luxury women's apparel. She was friends with top fashion designers including James Galanos, Bill Blass, Oscar de la Renta, and Hubert de Givenchy, and her company, Sara Fredericks Salon Shops, carried clothes by these designers as well as by Chanel, Chloe, and other iconic brands. The company had locations in Miami, Palm Beach, Sarasota, New York City, and Boston.