Lot 8

A CHINESE ENAMEL ROSEWATER SPRINKLER, MADE FOR INDIAN MARKET, QIANLONG (1736-1795)

Previous image preload Next image preload

A CHINESE ENAMEL ROSEWATER SPRINKLER, MADE FOR INDIAN MARKET, QIANLONG (1736-1795)

Estimate: £800 - £1,200

Starting Bid: £600

(0 Bids)

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

Description:

A CHINESE ENAMEL ROSEWATER SPRINKLER, MADE FOR INDIAN MARKET, QIANLONG (1736-1795) The rosewater sprinkler is of tall, elegant form, with a compressed pear-shaped body rising to a long slender neck, bulbous knop and narrow cylindrical nozzle. Worked in painted enamels, it presents a richly articulated surface in pink, turquoise, blue, green, yellow and aubergine, with gilt-toned metal rims defining the mouth, foot and sectional joins. The elongated silhouette is characteristic of rosewater sprinklers made for use in Indian and Islamicate contexts, where such vessels were employed for the ceremonial dispersal of scented water. The body is densely decorated with floral ornament arranged in shaped panels and registers. Large yellow-ground cartouches contain flowering sprays, surrounded by scrolling blossoms and foliage in bright famille rose enamels. Around the shoulder and lower body, repeated lappet bands in red, turquoise and white create a structured ornamental rhythm, while the neck is enlivened with blue floral scrolls, red key-fret borders and teardrop-shaped panels enclosing further stylised motifs. The sprinkler’s construction is carefully segmented, with a broad lower body, raised collar, rounded central knop and tapering upper section leading to the long tube. This vertical sequence gives the vessel an architectural quality, each element distinguished by contrasting pattern and colour. The underside is comparatively plain, centred by a blue floral mark, while the exterior is conceived as a continuous decorative field intended to be viewed in the hand or displayed upright. Chinese enamel vessels made for the Indian market reflect the adaptability of Qing workshops to foreign forms and rituals. The rosewater sprinkler was associated with hospitality, refinement and ceremonial presentation, and its adoption into Chinese painted enamel production demonstrates the close relationship between form, function and export taste during the Qianlong period. Here, the vessel’s Indian-market shape is combined with Chinese floral ornament and the brilliant colouristic language of eighteenth-century enamel work. This rosewater sprinkler is a refined example of Qianlong-period enamel made for the Indian market, uniting a specialised ceremonial form with elaborate floral decoration and finely controlled surface design. Height: 30 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