A GROUP OF THREE CARVED CINNABAR LACQUER WALL VASES Late 18th - 19th century (3)PROPERTY OF ANOTHER OWNERA GROUP OF THREE CARVED CINNABAR LACQUER WALL VASESLate 18th - 19th centuryComprising a small double-gourd wall vase, each bulb of the vase centered with a blue lacquer panel, the upper panel inscribed 'yuzhi shi' ('imperial poem'), the lower bulb with the poem, the incised strokes of the characters gilt, the panels reserved against a cinnabar lacquer ground carved with lotus scroll in high relief against a diaper ground, the reverse gilt metal with a keyhole-form recession for suspension; a globular wall vase supported on a spreading foot and rising to a waisted neck set between gilt-metal foliate handles, the body carved with lotus scroll in high relief against a wanzi diaper ground, the neck carved with upright cicada lappets, the foot carved with archaistic chilong, a wood stand applied to the foot, the reverse gilt metal with a keyhole-form recession for suspension; and a large cinnabar lacquer baluster wall vase carved with alternating bands of lappets and chilong against a diaper ground, positioned atop a multi-tier wood stand, the reverse lacquered red and carved with a recessed notch for suspension.5 1/2in (14cm); 6in (15.2cm); 11 1/2in (29.2cm) high, overall (3).Provenance:Sara Fredericks (1903-1986), likely acquired in the 1960s in New York, thence by descentAll three of the present vases display the vibrant vermillion color and nuanced multi-level carving of the High Qing period. The double-gourd vase is particularly interesting. It bears the first half of a poem titled Jin gui ('Golden Osmanthus'), written by the Qianlong emperor (r. 1736-1795), and recorded in the 'Imperial Poems' section of the Siku quanshu, 3 ji juan, 76 ye (Complete Library in Four Sections, coll. 3, p. 76). It is likely that this wall vase was originally one of a pair, with its companion bearing the remainder of the poem. This and the other two wall vases are carved with typical motifs of the period, including scrolling lotus and Bronze Age-inspired chilong, reflecting the parallel enthusiasm for Buddhist and classical themes during the Qing dynasty.The poem on the double-gourd vase reads:粟想芳㽔金想黄西風常與逐蜂狂誰知一種江南卉也做中秋塞北香 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.