This auction has ended. View lot details
You may also be interested in
A moulded gourd bowl Qianlong four-character mark and of the period
Sold for HK$96,000 inc. premium
Looking for a similar item?
Our Chinese Ceramics & Works of Art specialists can help you find a similar item at an auction or via a private sale.
Find your local specialistA moulded gourd bowl
Molded into the shape of a bowl with rounded sides rising to a slightly everted rim, the exterior moulded with ruyi-form scrolling tendrils, all between raised bands encircling the foot and rim, the interior lacquered black, the base moulded with the four-character mark Qianlong shangwan, the material of a rich amber tone.
15.7 (6 1/4in) diam.
Footnotes
The mark on the base of this bowl can be translated as 'appreciated and enjoyed by Qianlong'.
The technique of placing moulds around young growing gourds has a long tradition as a Chinese folk craft. The moulds had decorations cut into their interiors, and as the gourds grew, they conformed to the shape of the moulds and the designs became embedded into their skin. The most common product of this art form are moulded cricket cages.
The Kangxi emperor brought this art form into the palace, when he had fields specially planted with gourd wines in the west garden adjacent to the forbidden city. A plainly decorated bowl with a Kangxi mark can be found in the Collection of Sir Percival and Lady David, illustrated by J.M. Addis, in "Impressed Gourds", Oriental Art, vol. X, Spring 1964, p. 28, fig. 1. This art from continued into the Qianlong reign as evidenced by the present lot.
清乾隆 葫蘆印如意紋盌 《乾隆賞玩》款
Saleroom notices
Estimate should read: HK$80,000-100,000