A rare and large pair of famille rose 'blossoming-lotus' baluster vases and covers


QianlongThe rounded shoulders sweeping to a waisted neck, gently tapering to a flared base, the domed covers surmounted with rare blossoming lotus-form finials, superbly enamelled around the exteriors in bright colours with peacocks and pheasants proudly perched on rockwork in a balustraded garden with blossoming peony, magnolia, prunus and butterflies, the shoulders painted with shaped reserves enclosing the 'one hundred antiques' and flowers, on a lime-green ground, the covers similarly decorated, carved wood stands. Each 91cm (35 3/4in) high (6).
|清乾隆 粉彩錦堂富貴圖大蓋瓶一對Provenance: a European private collection and thence by descent來源：歐洲私人收藏，並由後人保存迄今This outstanding pair of vases required great technical skill during the potting, firing, and enameling. Consequently, vases of this type, which were normally made in pairs, were very difficult and costly to produce. The present vases represent the highest quality of the type. They are decorated in the highly developed famille rose palette with a rare form of blossoming-lotus finial. Most other examples are lotus-bud finials rather than blossoming or open. The luxurious and exotic style of these vases captures the height of the popularity of chinoiserie that was sweeping through Europe in the 18th century. In response to the current European taste, elements of the Baroque and Rococo aesthetic infiltrated the Chinese craftsman's repertoire. Traditional Chinese motifs were synthesized with Western styles, as indicated by the elaborate lambrequin borders on the neck and shoulder, which combine richly-patterned grounds, leafy tendrils, and C-scrolls with shaped panels containing various auspicious Chinese motifs. While vases were frequently enamelled with phoenixes and flowers, it is more unusual to find examples depicting pheasants. The craftsman has cleverly captured the exoticism of phoenixes by rendering these pheasants with vibrant, long-flowing feathers.Compare with a related pair of large famille rose 'soldier' vases and covers, Qianlong, circa 1740, which was sold at Sotheby's New York, 20 March 2018, lot 417. Another related pair of famille rose vases and covers, 18th century, was sold at Sotheby's London, 19 January 2017, lot 304.