Decorative

A RARE AND EXCEPTIONALLY FINE IRON-RED 'IMPERIAL ...

A rare and well-preserved example of 19TH CENTURY from Guangxu Six-character Mark (1875-1908), noted for its craftsmanship, material quality, and historical relevance.

This exquisite compressed globular brush washer represents the pinnacle of late Qing Dynasty technical mastery. Potently symbolic and masterfully potted, the piece features a translucent "eggshell" porcelain body, weighing a remarkable 138 grams. Its delicate nature suggests it was commissioned for a high-ranking official or as a merit gift within the imperial civil service. The exterior is vibrantly enamelled in iron-red (fanhong) with two powerful five-clawed dragons---the supreme imperial motif---winding through stylized flames in pursuit of the Flaming Pearl of Wisdom.\n\nThe Dragons: Executed with superb brush control, the dragons exhibit fine scale-work and expressive, spirited facial features.\n\nThe Pearl: The central pearl is highlighted in high-purity gilt enamel, showing a soft, authentic patina consistent with age.\n\nThe Body: The porcelain is of superior "watery" bluish-white tone, characteristic of the finest Jingdezhen kilns. It possesses a startling translucency, with the painted decoration clearly visible through the walls when held to the light.\n\nThe Mark: The base bears a hand-painted six-character reign mark of the Emperor Guangxu (Da Qing Guangxu Nian Zhi) in iron-red enamel. The calligraphy is fluid and confident, with the pigment successfully "sunken" into the glaze---a key indicator of period authenticity.\n\nDimensions: Width: 12cm | Height: 5.5cm | Weight: 138g. The washer is accompanied by its original custom-padded box, covered in period silk brocade with traditional bone-toggle closures. The box shows natural oxidation and wear, providing a vital historical context and confirming the piece has been a prized collection item for over a century. Excellent condition. The porcelain rings with a high-pitched, clear tone. Minor, age-appropriate wear to the gilt rim and firing pin-pricks to the interior, as expected from hand-crafted late 19th-century wares.

— Details

Reference

SA1207633

Origin

Guangxu Six-character Mark (1875-1908)

Period

19TH CENTURY

Dimensions

W 12cm × H 5.5cm

Weight

138 g

Rarity

High

Provenance

The G S. May Esquire Private Collection, London - Label Number 620

Condition

Excellent — see description