Lot 037 A MAGNIFICENT AND LARGE BLUE AND WHITE ‘LOTUS’ VASE (HU) QING DYNASTY, QIANLONG PERIOD

Description

A MAGNIFICENT AND LARGE BLUE AND WHITE ‘LOTUS’ VASE (HU)
QING DYNASTY, QIANLONG PERIOD
清乾隆 青花缠枝莲纹铺首耳大尊
MEASUREMENTS
H. 45 cm, 17.7 in.
ESTIMATE
USD 20,000 — 40,000
(HKD 156,000 — 312,000)
The vase is masterfully potted in a grand and archaic hu form, featuring a wide flared rim, a constricted neck, and broad, rounded shoulders that lead to a voluminous globular body, all supported by a flared ring foot. The shoulders are flanked by two symmetrically applied beast-head handles (pushou) with mock rings, evoking the bronzes of antiquity. The vessel is brilliantly decorated in underglaze blue with multiple horizontal registers, separated by raised bow-string lines. The primary decorative band features a lush scrolling lotus (chanzhilian) motif, with blossoms and scrolling foliage executed in a rich, vibrant cobalt blue that mimics the “heaping and piling” effect seen in early Ming imperial wares. Auxiliary bands of upright plantain leaves, scrolling grass, and ruyi motifs adorn the neck and foot. The glaze is exceptionally lustrous and pure, with a strong vitreous texture consistent with the highest standards of the Imperial kilns.
此尊形制宏大端庄，呈扁圆腹大瓶（或称尊、大壶）式样。撇口、束颈、硕腹下敛，下承微撇圈足。肩部两侧贴塑兽面衔环铺首耳，造型追摹上古青铜器之古朴，线条雄浑有力。全器以青花为饰，分层绘就纹样，并以弦纹相隔。主题纹饰为缠枝莲纹，莲花饱满、枝蔓翻卷，发色浓艳深沉，成功仿效明初官窑“苏麻离青”之点染效果。颈部及足墙分饰蕉叶纹、卷草纹及如意云头纹，布局繁而不乱。釉面莹润如水，呈现出强烈的玻璃质感，胎质洁白坚致。此尊高度达45厘米，体量宏伟，充分彰显了清代盛世瓷器烧造的非凡气魄。
The interlocking lotus motif (chanzhilian) is a profound auspicious rebus representing “integrity and purity” (qinglian), as well as “unending continuity of generations.” Vases of this monumental scale and technical complexity were commissioned for the grand halls of the Imperial palaces, serving as centerpieces of prestige and cultural continuity. The combination of the pushou handles and the Ming-style floral scrolling reflects the Qianlong Emperor’s fascination with “Archaism and Technical Perfection” (fanggu). Similar museum-grade examples are documented in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum and Imperial Porcelains of the Qing Dynasty. Large jars of this specific design consistently command high prices at international auction houses; for instance, a similar Qianlong blue and white “interlocking floral” jar sold at Christie’s Hong Kong for HKD 5.88 million.
缠枝莲纹寓意“廉洁、连绵”，是皇室祈求社稷常青、子孙延绵的典型题材。此类大型青花铺首耳尊对工艺要求极高，其硕大的器身在窑火中极易变形，故成器者寥若晨星。乾隆皇帝一生雅好古器，此类融合青铜器造型与明早期青花风格的瓷器，正是其“好古敏求”审美的集大成者。参考《故宫博物院藏文物珍品大系》及各大博物馆馆藏，此类器型多见于清廷重殿陈设。在国际拍卖市场中，品相完好且发色出众的乾隆青花大尊常以百万乃至千万计价，是一件极具收藏价值与视觉震撼力的博物馆级重器。
CONDITION REPORT
• Condition: In overall very good condition consistent with age. The blue and white enamels remain vibrant. No major chips or restorations. Some minor, stable firing-related iron spots and expected wear to the unglazed footrim.
• 状况： 整体品相良好，与年代特征相符。青花发色艳丽稳固，经检测无任何重大崩口或修复。见少量时代特征之自然窑斑（铁锈斑）及底足露胎处自然磨损，保存状况极佳。