JIAQING SIX-CHARACTER SEAL MARK IN IRON RED AND OF THE PERIOD (1796-1820)

The delicate, lace-like decoration on this box and cover was achieved by applying white enamel on top of the turquoise enamel. The technique was first utilised by the imperial kilns during the Qianlong period, as seen on a butter-tea bowl in the Nanjing Museum, illustrated in The Official Kiln Porcelain Of The Chinese Qing Dynasty, Shanghai, 2003, p. 265 (fig. 1). The technique continued into the Jiaqing reign, as demonstrated by a tri-lobed vase in the Palace Museum, Beijing, illustrated in A Survey of Chinese Ceramics: Ch’ing Official and Popular Wares, vol. 5, Taipei, 1991, p. 252 (upper-left); and a bottle vase decorated with peonies and Shou characters from The Alfred Morrison Collection, Fonthill House, sold at Christie’s London, Chinese Porcelains and Enamels from The Alfred Morrison Collection, Fonthill House, 9 November 2004, lot 54.

The 'double happiness' characters on the cover suggest that this was made for an imperial wedding.