PRINTThe decorative motif of melons of the present lot symbolizes fecundity due to its physical attributes of containing many seeds. It is a prevalent motif in the Qing dynasty; it features large and smaller melons hanging delicately on their leafy vines. Melons are pronounced as gua while smaller melons are referred to as die. Taken together, melons and smaller melons formulate the pun for guadie mianmian, which translates as ‘ceaseless descendants for generations to come’.
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8017
A ROBIN’S EGG GLAZE CENSER WITH A SILVER RETICULATED COVER
QING DYNASTY |
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Of compressed lobed melon form moulded with a pair of fruiting melons on leafy sprigs at the rim, covered overall in an attractive mottled turquoise glaze, stopping short on the flattened base, the silver reticulated cover decorated with further foliate and leafy motifs in openwork. |
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Estimate
50,000 - 80,000 195,000 - 313,000 6,400 - 10,300
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Sold Price 57,600
223,256
7,432
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The decorative motif of melons of the present lot symbolizes fecundity due to its physical attributes of containing many seeds. It is a prevalent motif in the Qing dynasty; it features large and smaller melons hanging delicately on their leafy vines. Melons are pronounced as gua while smaller melons are referred to as die. Taken together, melons and smaller melons formulate the pun for guadie mianmian, which translates as ‘ceaseless descendants for generations to come’.