49 - *CHINA, Qianlong Period, 18th century

*CHINA, Qianlong Period, 18th century A rare pair of lidded porcelain export vases in a multilobed bottle shape known as “apple blossom,” with curved bases, globular bodies flanked by handles shaped like figures standing on lingzhi mushroom-shaped pedestals, and wide, flared necks at the opening. Both vases feature, throughout, a rich polychrome enamel decoration in the “Famille Rose” style, depicting figures in circular cartouches on either side of the bodies, the bases adorned with a multitude of flowering branches rendered in relief, on an orange background covered with geometric motifs, the whole accented with gold. The lids are topped with handles shaped like seated chimeras. Height: 36 cm Width: 18 cm (One handle missing; minor chips; restorations and gaps in the relief decoration) Comparison: A pair of identical vases is held in the collections of the Guangzhou Thirteen Hongs Museum (Canton). Provenance: - Collection from southern France