Description:

A CLOISONNÉ ENAMEL MOONFLASK WITH ARABIC CALLIGRAPHY, QING DYNASTY, 18TH CENTURY
China, Qing Dynasty, Qianlong period, 18th century

Description:
A rare and striking cloisonné enamel moonflask, of flattened circular form rising from a short gilt foot with a cylindrical neck flanked by openwork ruyi-form handles. Both sides are boldly decorated with large Arabic inscriptions in elegant thuluth script, formed in dark blue against a brilliant turquoise ground. The calligraphy—stylised and refined—appears to read Allah on one side, and Muhammad on the reverse, framed within circular medallions.

Surrounding the central roundels is a dense composition of interlocking floral scrolls, rendered in rich hues of cobalt, coral, yellow, and emerald green, outlined in fine gilt wires in traditional cloisonné technique. The neck and sides are similarly embellished with floral bands and lotus sprays, with subtle gilding to highlight the overall surface. The workmanship reflects the high-quality production of court enamels during the Qianlong reign, where Islamic motifs were often incorporated into decorative objects destined for export or for China’s Muslim communities.

Dimensions: Height 15cm

Comparable examples:

  • A Qing cloisonné moonflask with Islamic inscriptions sold at Sotheby’s, Important Chinese Art, 11 May 2022, Lot 105, for £37,800.

  • A similar Qianlong cloisonné enamel flask with Arabic calligraphy fetched £42,500 at Christie’s, Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, 9 November 2015, Lot 122.

  • Another related moonflask decorated with thuluth calligraphy and lotus scrolls achieved £36,000 at Bonhams, Fine Chinese Art, 5 November 2020, Lot 239.

Note:
This cloisonné moonflask exemplifies the synthesis of Chinese imperial craftsmanship with Islamic aesthetic traditions, a fusion encouraged under Qianlong’s reign. Arabic calligraphy, revered in the Islamic world, was occasionally adopted as a decorative and diplomatic motif by the Qing court, especially in objects produced for Muslim officials, foreign emissaries, or trade partners along the Silk Road and beyond.

 

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.

May 6, 2025 1:00 PM BST
London, United Kingdom

PLAKAS

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 29% 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