A Chinese blue and white 'Elegant Ladies in a Garden' square...

Hammer

€11,000

A Chinese blue and white 'Elegant Ladies in a Garden' square flask and cover, Yu mark, Kangxi

H.: 30,4 cm | incl. cover
H.: 29 cm | excl. Cover

Provenance:
- Luis Alegria, Porto, with their label to the base.
- The Mr. and Mrs. Baert-Devos Collection, Belgium. Acquired from the above on 16 March 2017, accompanied by a copy of their original invoice. (see added scan)

Of square form with horizontal shoulders, the vase rises from a gently tapering body to a moulded cylindrical neck opening into a flattened mouth. It is finely painted in varying shades of underglaze cobalt blue on each of the four rectangular sides with a scene depicting two elegant ladies, each dressed in flowing robes of differing design. Some hold a flower or a fan, while others are shown admiring blossoms. Their hair is elaborately arranged in elegant coiffures as they stand on either side of a jardinière filled with flowers, placed upon a small square table. Each scene is rendered with subtle variations.
Below the figures are boldly painted flowering plants issuing from a large rock formation. Behind them extends a terrace enclosed by a fence, beyond which rise flowering branches and further stylised rock formations, creating a layered garden setting. Each of the four scenes is framed by double blue lines following the edges of the rectangular panels, terminating at each corner in a small decorative accolade-shaped scroll.
The neck is encircled by a band of crackled-glaze pattern interspersed with flower heads and scrolling motifs, while the mouth rim is decorated with a herringbone border. The flattened shoulders are painted with three flowering branches and a sprig of lingzhi. The base bears a jade mark, reserved within a small square glazed panel at the centre.

The cover, painted in the same tones of underglaze cobalt blue, is decorated with two stylised flowering branches and surmounted by a cobalt-blue finial. Its survival together with the bottle is a rare and noteworthy feature.

Reference:
Sotheby's New York, 22 March 2023, lot 508 for a near-identical example. (sold USD 11.430,00)

Condition reports and additional high-resolution zoomable images are available on our website www.rm-auctions.com, or by request via info@rm-auctions.com. The Autumn sale continues on Saturday 5 September, full catalogue available on our website soon.