Lot 019 A MAGNIFICENT AND RARE PAIR OF FAMILLE-ROSE ‘NINE DRAGONS’ LOBED VASES SEAL MARKS AND PERIOD OF JIAQING

Description

A MAGNIFICENT AND RARE PAIR OF FAMILLE-ROSE ‘NINE DRAGONS’ LOBED VASES
SEAL MARKS AND PERIOD OF JIAQING
清嘉庆 绿地粉彩海水纹九龙戏珠纹螭耳瓜棱瓶一对
《大清嘉庆年制》矾红三行六字篆书款
MEASUREMENTS
H. 21.3 cm; 21.2 cm
8 ⅜ in; 8 ¼ in
ESTIMATE
USD 20,000 — 40,000
(HKD 156,000 — 312,000)
DESCRIPTION
Each vase is masterfully potted in a lobed, melon-shaped form (gualeng), featuring an everted rim, a slender neck, and rounded shoulders. The body is vertically divided by five uniform lobes extending from the rim to the foot. The neck is flanked by a pair of elegantly arching chilong handles, finely rendered in iron-red and enriched with gilding.
The exterior is enveloped in an even, vibrant turquoise ground, providing a striking backdrop for the central motif: the ‘Nine Dragons’ pursuing flaming pearls amidst tumultuous waves. Each dragon is intricately painted in a palette of rose-pink, iron-red, cobalt blue, and sepia, with meticulously detailed scales and powerful, spirited expressions. The waves are rendered with exceptional fluidity, utilizing white enamel for the crests and graded green tones for the swelling sea. The interior and base are similarly applied with a turquoise glaze, a hallmark of high-ranking imperial wares from the Jiaqing period. The base of each vase bears a six-character iron-red seal mark of the period.
此对瓶呈瓜棱式，撇口，长颈，丰肩。器身纵向均匀分布五道棱线，形如瑞瓜，寓意“子孙万代”。颈部两侧对称饰以矾红描金螭龙耳，双耳形态灵动。瓶外壁通体施松石绿釉为地，腹部通绘“九龙戏珠”盛景，九条神龙姿态各异，分以粉彩、矾红、蓝料及酱彩绘就。海水分五彩技法细腻，以白粉描绘浪花翻卷，青绿色料层叠波涛，视觉动态感极强。器内及底部施松石绿釉，展现典型的乾嘉时期官窑气韵。
PROVENANCE / 来源
• Private Collection, Hawaii, USA.
• 美国夏威夷私人珍藏。
CATALOGUE NOTE
The early Jiaqing period is celebrated for maintaining the pinnacle of ceramic craftsmanship established during the reign of the Qianlong Emperor, a stylistic continuity often described as Qian-Jia bu fen (Qianlong and Jiaqing are indistinguishable). This rare pair of lobed vases epitomizes this “Golden Age” of the Qing imperial kilns.
The ‘Nine Dragons’ motif is the ultimate symbol of imperial sovereignty, representing the “Nine-Five” (jiuwu) status of the Emperor. The lobed form (gualeng) presented a significant challenge to the potters at Jingdezhen, requiring precise molding after the initial throwing on the wheel to ensure perfect symmetry. The fact that this pair differs in height by only 0.1 cm is a testament to the rigorous standards of the Imperial kiln.
Pairs of imperial vases from the Jiaqing reign are increasingly rare in the global market. The combination of the auspicious melon shape, the regal dragon imagery, and the vibrant turquoise ground makes this pair an exceptional addition to any collection of high Qing porcelain, standing in league with examples housed in the Palace Museum, Beijing.
嘉庆早期御窑多保留乾隆盛世遗风。本品之“九龙纹”乃皇家权力的最高象征。其瓜棱形制对胎体成型工艺要求极高，需在拉坯后进行精细模印，两瓶高度仅差0.1厘米，足见工匠之精准。在国际艺术品市场中，成对存世的官窑器物具有极高的权重。此类瓜棱形制结合复杂的粉彩纹饰，反映了嘉庆时期对前朝繁缛形制的完美继承。历经两百余年仍能品相完好，并以双瓶存世，尤为难得。
RELATED LITERATURE / 相关文献
• The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum: Porcelains with Cloisonné Enamel and Famille Rose Decoration, Commercial Press.
《故宫博物院藏珍品全集·粉彩》，商务印书馆。
• Anthology of Chinese Ceramics, Art Museum, The Chinese University of Hong Kong.
《清瓷萃珍》，香港中文大学文物馆。
CONDITION REPORT
• Overall Condition: Excellent. The potting is firm and the glaze is exceptionally even. Minor natural wear and slight oxidation to the surface consistent with age and use.
• Detailed Inspection: Under UV light: no cracks, chips, or restorations detected. The gilding on the handles remains largely intact and vibrant.
• 品相： 极佳。胎骨坚致，釉面匀净。见局部自然磨损及极轻微的釉面氧化痕迹，符合时代特征。经紫外光（UV）检测，确认无任何裂纹、崩口或后期修复。金彩保存基本完整。