A FAMILLE ROSE 'SCHOLARS' VASE, SHENDETANG ZHI MARK, REPUBLIC PERIOD
China, first half of the 20th century. The ovoid body rising from a spreading foot to a broad neck with an everted gilt rim. Finely painted in bright enamels with gilt highlights to depict scholars playing a boardgame on a rocky platform further set with precious objects, comprising two stacked boxes, scrolls in a burlwood scroll pot, as well as coral and a bamboo rod in a blue and white pear-shaped vase. The men look on as an attendant fans them, all three looking toward Chang'e, the goddess of the moon, cradling her lunar hare, with her attendant not far behind, all under a gnarled towering pine tree.


Inscriptions
: The base with an iron-red four-character hall mark, Shendetang zhi (Hall of the Prudent Virtue).


Provenance
: From a private collection in Moray, Scotland, and thence by descent in the family.

Condition
: Very good condition with minor wear and firing irregularities, minimal traces of use, rubbing to gilt.

Weight: 3,666 g
Dimensions: Height 39.7 cm


Shendetang
(Hall of Prudent Virtue) is a hall mark associated with a range of fine porcelains made for the Hall of Prudent Virtue, a summer residence of Emperor Daoguang. The Daoguang Emperor was known as a prudent, kind, and frugal ruler; however, one area he chose to invest heavily was the Yuanmingyuan. The financial review of the Yuanmingyuan in 1824 showed a significant surplus; thus, the ample money available allowed Daoguang to construct the Shendetang, the new living quarters, in 1830, which were completed in 1831. The Hall featured three connecting wave roofs on a square-shaped structure, hence showing a distinct character that was markedly different from the more rigid Confucian-inspired architecture. The greater degree of freedom in arrangement and design reflects the style of porcelain that was lavishly produced for the Hall. Daoguang pieces inscribed with the Shendetang mark are attributable to the two decades between 1831 and 1850 and are often characterized by novel designs.


Auction result comparison:

Type: Closely related
Auction: Bonhams San Francisco, 21 June 2011, lot 8370
Price: USD 6,100 or approx.
EUR 7,400
converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A pair of famille rose enameled porcelain baluster vases, Shende Tang Mark, Republic Period
Expert remark: Note the identical dating of this lot, the manifold similarities in style, painting, technical execution and size (46.5 cm). Note that this result is for a pair.




民國粉彩慎德堂款文人瓶

中國，二十世紀上半葉。敞口，直頸，豐肩，斜腹，圈足外撇。瓶口鎏金。精美琺瑯彩繪，描金，樹下文人在石桌上下棋，桌上亦放置珍貴文人物品，書卷，珊瑚擺設，花瓶。侍從在一旁打扇。三人轉頭看向嫦娥，嫦娥抱著她的月兔。人物神態愜意，輕鬆愉快。


款識：
慎德堂製


來源：
蘇格蘭馬里私人收藏，家族傳承。

品相：
狀況非常好，有輕微磨損和燒製不規則，極少使用痕跡，描金磨損。

重量：3,666 克
尺寸：高 39.7 厘米


拍賣結果比較:

形制：非常相近
拍賣：舊金山邦翰斯，2011年6月21日，lot 8370
價格：USD 6,100（相當於今日
EUR 7,400
）
描繪：一對民國慎德堂粉彩瓶
專家評論：請注意相同的年代，風格、繪畫和技術上有許多相似之處，以及尺寸(46.5 厘米)。請注意此為一對。