A CHINESE FAMILLE ROSE REVOLVING VASE

REPUBLIC PERIOD

Constructed in three sections, the ovoid body with three openwork panels each with a red dragon amidst clouds set against a dark blue ground decorated with stylised lotus scrolls. The rim, shoulder and foot painted with colourful enamels with bands of lappets, key frets and stylised lotus and bats, the internal section decorated with flowering camelia, bamboo, clouds and bats against a white ground, a six character Qianlong mark to the base, 23.5cm. (3)

Provenance: from the collection of Hugh Malcolm (1886-1961) and thence by descent.

Hugh Malcolm (1886-1961) was the Managing Director of the Rising Sun Petroleum Company in Japan (today known as Shell) from 1924-1936. He lived in Kobe and Yokohama between 1913-1936. His collection of Asian art included Korean, Chinese and Japanese works of art such as screens, scrolls, furniture, silver, ceramics, prints, lacquer and iron work. It was displayed in his family house built after the Great Kanto Earthquake in 1923 and designed by the Czech architect Antonin Raymond who was an assistant to Frank Lloyd Wright.

Cf. Z Lili, The Shanghai Museum Collection: Qing Dai Yongzheng- XuanTong Guan Yao Ci Qi, pp.84-85, no.3-51 for a prototype from the Qianlong period, see The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum, Porcelains with Cloisonné Enamel and Famille Rose Decoration, p.174-175, no.155 for Qianlong prototypes of revolving vases with reticulated decoration.