Decorated in bright enamels, the interior of this large basin shows birds perched among flowering branches, with a composition of peony, plum blossom, and chrysanthemum set among peaches and pomegranates, symbolising longevity and the wish for a large, blessed family. The inverted rim is further decorated with cartouches enclosing flowers and floral sprays, while the sides are adorned with auspicious double gourds representing longevity, fertility, and prosperity.
A Canton enamel ‘birds and flowers’ basin
Description
Qing dynasty, Qianlong period (1736-1795)
Dimensions: 35.5 cm diameter
Provenance:
A private English collection
Decorated in bright enamels, the interior of this large basin shows birds perched among flowering branches, with a composition of peony, plum blossom, and chrysanthemum set among peaches and pomegranates, symbolising longevity and the wish for a large, blessed family. The inverted rim is further decorated with cartouches enclosing flowers and floral sprays, while the sides are adorned with auspicious double gourds representing longevity, fertility, and prosperity.
Canton enamel ware, also known as Guangzhou enamel, of this type were produced for both imperial and export markets, reflecting a fusion of Chinese decorative traditions and Western influences. During the reign of the Qianlong Emperor, Guangzhou served as the primary centre for the production of enamel applied to copper or brass bodies. In the late Qianlong period, the Emperor increasingly moved production to the Imperial Workshops in Beijing, although the most challenging and exceptional pieces were often designed in Beijing and still produced in Guangzhou1.
Compare a similar example, with lobed edge, sold at Sotheby’s New York, 20-30 November 2023, lot 1097.
1 Xu Xiaodong in Orientations, Canton Enamels: Markets and Patronage, Sept/Oct 2022
