An important famille rose "Hulu" vase, Qianlong period (1736 - 1795)

Porcelain gourd-shaped "gourd-shaped" porcelain vase delicately moulded with rounded handles and two loops hanging over the belly. The decoration is done in "pink family" enamel with lotus flowers in full bloom, along with intertwined and curled leaves, four-petal flowers and bats, on a ruby background. The centre of the base features a six-character seal 大清乾隆年制 (Dà qīng qiánlóng nián zhì) executed in red enamel on a white background in reserve.

The body is composed of two rounded forms separated horizontally by a narrow waist covered by a border of fretwork. The same is enclosed by a golden line, between an ascending lace of yellow enamel and a band of ruyi. It is held on a circular base, decorated with a border of scrolls in gold over the enamel, under a line of petals. The form ends with a narrow mouth surrounded by blue lace. On each side, the two handles, with the silhouette of a sceptre with a ruyi's head, are covered with leaf motifs in blue. The loops hanging from them simulate the appearance of woven fabric with pleats and cloud silhouettes. In addition, it has gilt details on the handles, mouth and foot.

The decoration of this type of vases was intended to simulate cloisonné enamel. The Qianlong emperor was particularly fond of this technique and imitated it not only on enamelled porcelain, as seen on this vase, but even on enamelled copper.

Height: 21 cm; Diameter of mouth: 2.70 cm; Diameter of base: 7.80 cm.

Provenance: Private collection, Spain. 

References: 

Porcelains with Cloisonne Enamel Decoration and Famille Rose Decoration, "The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum," Hong Kong, 1999, pp. 144-145.

Collection of Treasures and Cultural Relics in the Palace Museum "Falang Cai. Fen Cai," p. 126.