Lot 1

A CHINESE CANTON ENAMEL EWER, QIANLONG (1736–1795)

Previous image preload Next image preload

A CHINESE CANTON ENAMEL EWER, QIANLONG (1736–1795)

Estimate: £1,500 - £2,500

Current Bid: £1,000

(1 Bid)

June 18, 2026 1:00 PM BST
Live Auction
London, United Kingdom

Description:

A CHINESE CANTON ENAMEL EWER, QIANLONG (1736–1795) Elegantly potted with a pear-shaped body rising to a slender waisted neck and flared trumpet mouth, this finely painted Canton enamel ewer exemplifies the technical brilliance and decorative exuberance of Qianlong-period enamelling. The form is animated by a tall, sinuous spout and a scrolling handle, each enriched with dense blue foliate scrolls reserved against a white ground, the terminals picked out in contrasting pink and gilt tones. The body is encircled by vibrant famille-rose style floral sprays, including peony blossoms in full bloom accompanied by smaller pink and blue flowers, all carefully shaded to create depth and naturalism. These are interspersed with shaped cartouches enclosing further floral compositions, framed by cobalt and iron-red outlines. Around the lower body runs a band of overlapping lotus petals washed in graduated tones of rose and pale yellow, lending the vessel a rhythmic architectural base. The foot is decorated with a continuous blue scrollwork border, visually anchoring the composition. The shoulder features a scalloped collar of alternating yellow and pink panels surmounted by a turquoise ground filled with black scrolling foliage, demonstrating the Canton enamellers’ mastery of layered colour and intricate pattern. The neck is adorned with further floral scrolls beneath a blue key-fret band at the rim, unifying the decorative scheme. Canton enamels of this type were produced in Guangzhou for both imperial consumption and export during the Qianlong reign, when technical innovation and a taste for brilliant colour reached a peak. The present ewer reflects the cross-cultural refinement characteristic of the period: traditional Chinese floral symbolism rendered in a palette and style influenced by Western enamelling techniques introduced by Jesuit artisans at court. Graceful in silhouette and richly ornamented on every surface, this Qianlong-period Canton enamel ewer embodies the sophistication and cosmopolitan artistry of eighteenth-century Qing decorative arts.  Height: 27 cm

Accepted Forms of Payment:

MasterCard, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

We have our own specialist packing and international shipping service and are happy to arrange this for you, we will add a postage and packing quote to your sales invoice. We also offer a door to door courier service to take the stress out of receiving delicate or expensive items.

If you are arranging your own professional delivery, please ensure that the lot has been paid for and the transport company has full details of the items being collected and an appointment has been booked. We work strictly on an appointment basis for dispatching goods.

If you choose to use our services we will ensure goods that have left the auction premises are in perfect condition, by choosing our in house professional packaging services you agree to our terms and conditions and do not hold us accountable for any damages or loss of items in transit. You will be provided with a tracking number and all our packages sent out will require a signature upon delivery. We do not insure goods dispatched unless asked to do so, which will incur additional charges added to your invoice upon request.

We thank you for using our specialist packing & shipping service and hope to continue to do business with you in the near future.

PLAKAS

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 31% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
£0 £99 £5
£100 £199 £10
£200 £499 £20
£500 £999 £50
£1,000 £1,999 £100
£2,000 £4,999 £200
£5,000 £9,999 £500
£10,000 £19,999 £1,000
£20,000 £49,999 £2,000
£50,000 £99,999 £5,000
£100,000 £199,999 £10,000
£200,000 £499,999 £20,000
£500,000 £999,999 £50,000
£1,000,000 + £100,000