Enamelled porcelain and dragon's ear vase, Qing dynasty

Glazed "famille rose" porcelain in pastel shades. The decoration extends around the vase, on a green background, with lotus flowers in full bloom. They are linked by intertwined leaves to other flowers and elements such as 'ruyi' and bats. On the shoulders are waving 'chilong' dragons that mark the separation between the neck and the body.

The form is slender and balustraded, standing on a circular foot covered with a border of fretwork. On either side of the neck is an openwork, blue-enamelled handle in the shape of a dragon. The mouth is flared and decorated with a 'ruyi' border.

In the centre of the base is a six-character Daoguang seal '大清道光年制' (Dà qīng dàoguāng nián zhì) in red enamel on a white background in turquoise-blue reserve. It has a crack in the belly and shows wear over time.

Height: 29 cm; Mouth diameter: 8.8 cm; Base diameter: 10 cm

Provenance: Private collection, France. Acquired in France. Auction "Millon. Maison de Ventes aux encheres" in February 2002, lot 189.