218 - A RARE ‘FAMILLE-R0SE’ PORCELAIN ‘EIGHTEEN CRANES’ SNUFF BOTTLE JINGDEZHEN, 1820-1860

A RARE ‘FAMILLE-R0SE’ PORCELAIN ‘EIGHTEEN CRANES’ SNUFF BOTTLE JINGDEZHEN, 1820-1860 To Be Sold Without Reserve Of compressed ovoid form with a cylindrical neck, flat lip and recessed, flat oval foot surrounded by a protruding, convex oval foot rim, painted with a continuous design of eighteen cranes in flight in white, black and iron-red enamel with clouds around the neck, all on a blue enamel ground with incised design of further clouds, the foot inscribed in blue enamel seal script with an apocryphal mark Qianlong nian zhi 乾隆年製 (Made during the Qianlong period)) Height: 7.7cm Provenance: Jadestone Gallery, Portland, September 2008 Hugh Moss (HK) Ltd, 30th September 2008, (a copy of the original invoice available) In the mid-nineteenth century a series of porcelain bottles was produced, often of a range of flattened, elongated pear shapes or ovals, where enamelled designs were placed on an enamel ground which was, in turn, engraved through to the white glaze to provide an engraved pattern. This type of engraved enamel ground was invented by Tang Ying (d. 1756) who was the director of the Imperial kilns from the early Qianlong period until his death. Some are unmarked, some have apocryphal marks produced mainly for a nascent collectors’ market. This design is not only extremely impressive, but very rare Ω This Lot was imported outside of the UK, under the Temporary Admission scheme. 5% import VAT will be charged on the ‘hammer’ price and 20% VAT will be charged on the ‘buyer’s premium’. If proof of export outside of the UK can be provided for this item within 3 months of the sale date, then the VAT can be refunded. Please contact us for further details and shipping advice