FORMERLY THE PROPERTY OF BARON SIR JOHN DUNCAN... Lot 169

FORMERLY THE PROPERTY OF BARON SIR JOHN DUNCAN ORR-LEWIS (CANADA AND FRANCE, 1898-1980): A CANADIAN BILLIONAIRE INDUSTRIALIST AND BUSINESSMAN (BY REPUTE) A RARE ‘ONE HUNDRED BIRDS COURTING THE PHOENIX - BǍI NIǍO CHÁO HUÁNG - 百鸟朝凰’ FAMILLE ROSE-VERTE PORCELAIN ROULEAU BASE, BANGCHUIPING CHINA, QING DYNASTY This vase rests on an unglazed short ring foot of pinkish color and has a long round body surmounted by a tubular neck with an everted rim. It is finely painted in a rich and vivid palette of enamels combining different techniques, i.e. overglaze pink, orange, green and white enamels and underglaze cobalt blue and iron red enamels. The outer part is decorated in registers. On the lower body, there are several lively fu or buddhistic lions amidst clouds painted in cobalt blue and iron red, all in different positions. The same colors are applied to the upper part of the body (or shoulder) to depict nine Manchu red-capped cranes flying amidst clouds, with a great variety of poses. The rim is also painted with alike-enamels with a brocade pattern inspired from Japanese Imari porcelains. Both the central part of the body and the neck are painted in a combination of famille rose and famille verte enamels to depict numerous species of birds, in a wide range of positions, around a standing phoenix. *****HEIGHT SHOULD READ 46,5 CM***** Provenance: - Private Collection, French Riviera, Cannes France, gifted by the Russian wife of the present to the current owner; - Baron Sir Duncan Orr-Lewis (Canada and France, 1898-1980), a Canadian billionaire industrialist and businessman, who lived on the French Riviera in the Villa Zero, 416 Chemin de la Mosquée, Cap d’Antibes, France, in the 1950s. This vase was then mounted as a lamp and adorned his living room. Notes: 1. Vase shape: Bangchuiping literally means ‘wooden club’, named for its cylindrical body, flat shoulders, and high neck, which imitate the form of a club with a handle. French scholars termed this vase ‘Rouleau’, which places emphasis on its tall, roll-form body. 2. Enamel techniques: The combinations of enamel techniques on this vase, the richness of the palette, and the quality of the painting are a testimony of the work of a talented and skilful craftsman, artist or even painter. To combine all those enamels and to fire them, given the requested differences of temperature, is arguably a ‘tour de force’. 3. Subject: The subject depicted on this vase is a highly notable and auspicious one and can be seen as an ornithologist work. It seems to derive from paintings dating as early as to the Yuan and Song Dynasty. It is known as ‘Bainiaochaohuang’ or ‘Bainiaochaofeng’, i.e. ‘One-hundred birds courting the Phoenix’ or ‘One-hundred birds paying tribute to their King the Phoenix’. Since the phoenix only appears during peaceful reigns, it is closely connected with the ruler, and this motif stands for the relationship between a ruler and his officials. The birds depicted in such scenes carry symbolic meaning and represent the ‘Picture of the Five Relationships’ (luxutu, wuluntu): cranes represent the relationship between father and son; mandarin ducks the relationship between husband and wife; wagtails the relationship between brothers; and the relationship between friends is represented by the orioles 4.Baron Sir Duncan Orr-Lewis was the son of Sir Frederick Orr-Lewis (1860-1921), a successful Canadian businessman from Montreal, the President of the companies Lewis Brothers and Canadian Vickers Ltd., the Canadian branch of the British shipbuilding and armaments giant Vickers, which built Royal Navy ships (vessels) during World War I. This is for that reason that a baronet was created for him in 1920. 罕见的粉彩百鸟朝凤棒槌瓶 中国，清代 NOTE: CONDITION REPORTS AND MEASUREMENTS It is up to the bidder to satisfy themselves prior to buying as to the condition of a lot. In relation to Condition Reports, whilst we make certain observations on the lot, which are intended to be as helpful as possible, references in the condition report to damage or restoration are for guidance. The absence of such a reference does not imply that an item is free from defects or restoration, nor does a reference to particular defects imply the absence of any others. The condition report is an expression of opinion only and must not be treated as a statement of fact. Measurements and weight are approximate and the potential bidder may re-ask it to be checked when asking for a condition report.