248 - QIANLONG MARK AND PERIOD (1736–1795) YANGCAI MINIATURE VASE

QIANLONG MARK AND PERIOD (1736–1795) YANGCAI MINIATURE VASE Dimensions: Height 5,4 cm Wide 4,5 cm Depth 4,5 cm Weight: 44 grams A miniature porcelain vase of compressed globular form with a short waisted neck and slightly everted rim, covered in a pale blue enamel ground. The body is delicately painted with lotus blossoms and scrolling foliage in famille rose enamels heightened with gilt outlines, while a ruyi-head border at the shoulder and coloured lappets below frame the principal floral register. The small scale and meticulous surface treatment are characteristic of the technical virtuosity associated with Qing court porcelain. Yangcai decoration expanded the famille rose palette through subtle shading, fine outlining and densely controlled ornamental schemes, allowing even a vessel only a few centimetres high to carry a surprisingly elaborate design. The base bears a six-character underglaze-blue Qianlong seal mark. Its jewel-like proportions, soft blue ground and carefully articulated gilt and enamel detail give this miniature vase the concentrated decorative richness of an imperial cabinet object.