A FAMILLE ROSE PARCEL-GILT 'COURT LADY' CANDLEHOLDER, QIANLONG PERIOD
A FAMILLE ROSE PARCEL-GILT 'COURT LADY' CANDLEHOLDER, QIANLONG PERIOD
China, circa 1750. The gently smiling lady holding a gu-form vase in her arms, designed to accommodate a candle, her hair arranged in an elaborate topknot adorned with a floral ornament. She is dressed in white robes finely decorated with floral motifs, with a pleated skirt and flowing sleeves, and wears a gilt and iron-red apron centered by dragon roundels amid clouds, tied around the waist, the hems detailed with intricate borders.
Provenance: The Santos Collection, London. A private collection of Chinese porcelains, Massachusetts, United States, acquired from the above, and thence by descent in the family. A label from Santos, London, inscribed 'DL' and 'Qianlong period' to the base.
Alberto Santos is an international dealer and collector of Chinese porcelain, active in the field since 1979. He first established himself as a gallery owner in London before transitioning in 1999 to working privately, while continuing to exhibit at major international art fairs around the world. Santos specializes in Song to Qing dynasty ceramics and has built a reputation for sourcing rare and high-quality works for private collectors, museums, interior designers, and dealers worldwide. He also authored Yongzheng, A Private Collection, and collaborated between 2005 and 2009 on the publication Portugal in Porcelain from China: 500 Years of Trade.
Condition: Good condition, commensurate with age, with small old repairs to the chignon and hands. Areas of color touch-ups to the interior of the sleeves and the sash around the waist, likely because of previous glaze flaking. Light rubbing to the gilt and enamels, some ancient wear as expected.
Weight: 2.2 kg
Dimensions: Height 41.2 cm
It has been suggested that figures of this type, holding large vases or other receptacles, such as cupped lotus blossoms, may have been intended to serve as candleholders and were highly sought after among the European elite.
Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Christie's New York, 23 January 2008, lot 142
Price: USD 10,625 or approx.
EUR 14,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A large court lady candleholder, Qianlong period
Expert remark: Compare the closely related subject, fine enamels, and size (41.6 cm).
Buyer's Premium
30%
Sale price
Estimate
Time, Location
Auction House
A FAMILLE ROSE PARCEL-GILT 'COURT LADY' CANDLEHOLDER, QIANLONG PERIOD
China, circa 1750. The gently smiling lady holding a gu-form vase in her arms, designed to accommodate a candle, her hair arranged in an elaborate topknot adorned with a floral ornament. She is dressed in white robes finely decorated with floral motifs, with a pleated skirt and flowing sleeves, and wears a gilt and iron-red apron centered by dragon roundels amid clouds, tied around the waist, the hems detailed with intricate borders.
Provenance: The Santos Collection, London. A private collection of Chinese porcelains, Massachusetts, United States, acquired from the above, and thence by descent in the family. A label from Santos, London, inscribed 'DL' and 'Qianlong period' to the base.
Alberto Santos is an international dealer and collector of Chinese porcelain, active in the field since 1979. He first established himself as a gallery owner in London before transitioning in 1999 to working privately, while continuing to exhibit at major international art fairs around the world. Santos specializes in Song to Qing dynasty ceramics and has built a reputation for sourcing rare and high-quality works for private collectors, museums, interior designers, and dealers worldwide. He also authored Yongzheng, A Private Collection, and collaborated between 2005 and 2009 on the publication Portugal in Porcelain from China: 500 Years of Trade.
Condition: Good condition, commensurate with age, with small old repairs to the chignon and hands. Areas of color touch-ups to the interior of the sleeves and the sash around the waist, likely because of previous glaze flaking. Light rubbing to the gilt and enamels, some ancient wear as expected.
Weight: 2.2 kg
Dimensions: Height 41.2 cm
It has been suggested that figures of this type, holding large vases or other receptacles, such as cupped lotus blossoms, may have been intended to serve as candleholders and were highly sought after among the European elite.
Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Christie's New York, 23 January 2008, lot 142
Price: USD 10,625 or approx.
EUR 14,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A large court lady candleholder, Qianlong period
Expert remark: Compare the closely related subject, fine enamels, and size (41.6 cm).
Buyer's Premium
30%
Sale price
Estimate
Time, Location
Auction House
