A GILT FAMILLE ROSE VASE DEPICTING THE EIGHT IMMORTALS, BAXIAN, QIANLONG PERIOD
China, 1736-1795. Of square baluster form, supported on a flat foot with a recessed base, the rounded shoulder tapering to a narrow mouth. Finely decorated in iron-red, gilt, and bright enamels with four shaped panels, each enclosing two of the Eight Immortals (baxian), separated by rope designs, with shaped cartouches enclosing alternating lingzhi and floral sprays above and below each panel, all surrounded by finely gilt foliate scroll.


Provenance:
From a private collection in the United States.

Condition:
Very good condition with minor old wear, expected firing irregularities, and minor rubbing to gilt and enamels.

Weight: 260.9 g
Dimensions: Height 18 cm


Two immortals standing atop wispy clouds
appear on each panel of this vase. Hang Xian plays his iconic flute as the eccentric Zhang Guolao stands below with his fish drum. Turning the vase clockwise, the next scene depicts Lan Caihe holding a basket of flowers next to Li Tieguai, holding his double-gourd calabash bottle and iron crutch. Next, He Xiangu, the only female of the Eight Immortals, holds a lotus flower next to Lu Dongbin, identifiable by his scholar’s cap and the scroll in his hand. Following this panel is a scene depicting Zhongli Quan, baring his chest in his typical fashion, speaking with Cao Guojiu.


The Baxian
(Eight Immortals) are a legendary group of Chinese heroes who fight to vanquish evil. Most of them are said to have been born in the Tang or Song Dynasty. They are revered by the Taoists and are also a popular element in secular Chinese culture. They are said to live on a group of five islands in the Bohai Sea, which includes Mount Penglai. Stories of these immortals were first recorded by the Ming dynasty poet Wu Yuantai. Their status as folk icons makes them well-known in popular culture.


Auction result comparison:

Type: Related
Auction: Christie’s New York, 26 January 2015, lot 96
Price: USD 18,750 or approx.
EUR 22,500
converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A pair of famille rose and gilt vases and covers, circa 1780
Expert remark: Compare the related famille rose and gilt decoration. Note the size (36 cm), different form, and that this lot comprises a pair.


Auction result comparison:

Type: Related
Auction: Christie’s New York, 23 January 2007, lot 181
Price: USD 4,200 or approx.
EUR 5,800
converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A pair of famille rose and gilt vases, circa 1785
Expert remark: Compare the related famille rose and gilt decoration. Note the size (28.6 cm), different form, lamp mounting, and that this lot comprises a pair.




乾隆鎏金粉彩八仙瓶

中國，1736-1795年。方口，溜肩，腹下斂，四方底足内凹。精美的鐵紅、鎏金和明亮的琺瑯裝飾，四面開光内分別描繪八仙中的兩位。肩部四面小開光内花卉卷葉紋


來源：
美國私人收藏。

品相：
狀況非常好，鍍金和琺瑯有輕微摩擦。

重量：260.9 克
尺寸：高18 厘米


拍賣結果比較：

形制：相近
拍賣：紐約佳士得，2015年1月26日，lot 96
價格：USD 18,750（相當於今日
EUR 22,500
）
描述：約1780年一對粉彩鎏金瓶及蓋
專家評論：比較相近的粉彩和鎏金裝飾。請注意尺寸(36 厘米)，不同的的外形，以及此為一對。


拍賣結果比較：

形制：相近
拍賣：紐約佳士得，2007年1月23日，lot 181
價格：USD 4,200（相當於今日
EUR 5,800
）
描述：約1785年一對粉彩鎏金瓶
專家評論：比較相近的粉彩和鎏金裝飾。請注意尺寸(28.6 厘米)，不同的的外形，燈安裝座，以及此為一對。