Chinese vase, Qing dynasty, Qianlong period. End of the 18th century. Hand painted glazed porcelain.

Chinese vase, Qing dynasty, Qianlong period. Late 18th century.
Hand-painted enamelled porcelain.
Provenance: American private collection.
Original stamp on the base.
Measures: 46 x 26 cm.
Chinese vase of the Qing dynasty, Qianlong period, late 18th century, of circular forms with elongated upper neck and open circular mouth. Side handles in zoomorphic forms. Hand-painted with character scenes, vegetal ornamentation and borders of great quality and colour. The seal on the reverse confirms the period of the vase.
Ch'ien-lung (1711-1799) was the fourth emperor of the Ch'ing, or Manchu, dynasty in China. His rule spanned a span of 63 years, a longer reign than any other in recorded Chinese history. In Ch'ien-lung's reign, the Ch'ing dynasty reached its zenith and began the downward spiral that would culminate in the Revolution of 1911, which marked the final demise of imperial China. He was one of the greatest imperial patrons of the arts and literature.