A Chinese Beijing-enamel yellow-ground 'peony' vase

The ovoid body is delicately enamelled with large blossoming peonies amongst growing from coiling leafy vines amongst bats in flight, all reserved on a vibrant yellow ground. The angled shoulder is flanked by two ferocious gilt dragons, and is decorated with scroll borders at the neck separated by a further gilt bronze flower band, the exterior of the tall mouthrim is similarly decorated. The upper surface of the rim is delicately incised with scrolling flowers. The base bears a four-character Yongzheng mark.

Catalogue note: Compare an almost identical example in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, possibly the prototype for the present lot illustrated in Enamel Ware in the Ming and Ch'ing Dynasties, 1989, no.98.