AN IMPERIAL-TYPE GLASS-EMBELLISHED GILT COPPER REPOUSSE GOURD-SHAPED WALL VASE Qianlong period

AN IMPERIAL-TYPE GLASS-EMBELLISHED GILT COPPER REPOUSSE GOURD-SHAPED WALL VASE
Qianlong period
Superbly hammered and chiseled metalwork, the upper gourd centered by a plain ground cartouche with the character Da, and the lower gourd with the character Ji, with raised dragon-headed C-scroll border, on a ground of finely incised horizontal lines enhanced with repousse floral swags to the body and set between pendant leaf lappets at the waisted neck, the waisted central sections and above the foot, the floral and fruit decoration embellished with colored glass imitating precious stones of emerald, ruby, lapis, sapphire, diamonds and amethyst, three narrow horizontal rows of clear glass imitating diamond cabochons at the neck edge, waisted center and foot edge, the reverse with a plain flat back-plate with rectangular hole for suspension at the upper gourd and a painted white number 39.
15 5/8in (39.5cm) high
Footnotes:
乾隆時期 御式鎏金銅裝玻璃《大吉》葫蘆形壁瓶

Provenance:
Sara Fredericks (1903-1986), likely acquired in the 1960s in New York, thence by descent

來源：
Sara Fredericks (1903-1986)舊藏，應為1960年代購於紐約，後為家族繼承

Double-gourd vases bearing the phrase 'Da ji' ('great auspiciousness') were traditionally used or gifted as good luck charms. The present example also serves as a wall vase which was very fashionable during the Qianlong period. See a similar 'Da Ji' hanging vase in the Shanghai Museum, illustrated in Selected Ceramics from the Collection of Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Hu, Shanghai, 1989, pl. 70. Compare also the closely related porcelain plaque from the Sir Quo-Wei Lee Collection attributed to the Qianlong period, sold at Sotheby's, Hong Kong, 2 October 2018, lot 146; another, attributed to the Qianlong - Jiaqing period, sold in the same rooms, 11 July 2020, lot 3652; and a slightly less refined pair of this type attributed to the Jiaqing period sold at Sotheby's, London, 10 November 2010, lot 317. A related plaque, but with a white ground patterned with iron-red fretwork and gilt bats, attributed to the 18th century, sold at sold at Christie's, Hong Kong, 30th October 2001, lot 743, and later at Sotheby's Hong Kong, 4th April 2012, lot 3189.

Sara Fredericks (1903-1986) was a socialite and premier retailer who specialized in luxury women's apparel. She was friends with top fashion designers including James Galanos, Bill Blass, Oscar de la Renta, and Hubert de Givenchy, and her company, Sara Fredericks Salon Shops, carried clothes by these designers as well as by Chanel, Chloe, and other iconic brands. The company had locations in Miami, Palm Beach, Sarasota, New York City, and Boston.