Lot 109 清乾隆 青花粉彩描金平升三級圖蓋盒；清嘉慶 青花粉彩描金西廂記圖蓋盒 及青花粉彩和合二仙圖蓋盒 一組三件 | THREE FAMILLE ROSE AND UNDERGLAZE BLUE BOXES AND COVERS

清乾隆 青花粉彩描金平升三級圖蓋盒；清嘉慶 青花粉彩描金西廂記圖蓋盒 及青花粉彩和合二仙圖蓋盒 一組三件 | THREE FAMILLE ROSE AND UNDERGLAZE BLUE BOXES AND COVERS

The largest with four-character Qianlong mark and of the period, the two other with four-character Jiaqing marks and of the period

GBP 3,000

GBP 3000 - 5000

未知

未知

The largest with four-character Qianlong mark and of the period, the two other with four-character Jiaqing marks and of the period
Each decorated to the sides with an iron red flower surrounded by floral scroll in gilt and underglaze blue, the centre with a figurative panel, the base and interior enamelled turquoise. The largest 7.5cm (3in) long. (6).
Footnotes
清乾隆 青花粉彩描金平升三級圖蓋盒；清嘉慶 青花粉彩描金西廂記圖蓋盒 及青花粉彩和合二仙圖蓋盒 一組三件
款識：礬紅「乾隆年製」篆書款（青花粉彩描金平升三級圖蓋盒）
礬紅「嘉慶年製」篆書款（青花粉彩描金西廂記圖蓋盒 及青花粉彩和合二仙圖蓋盒）
Provenance: Evaristo Caretti (1879-1955), China and Italy, and thence by descent
All noted in a valuation conducted by Robert Kleiner in 1988; stating the Jiaqing-marked canted box was acquired in Beijing in 1924; and that the Qianlong-marked box was acquired in 1928 (location unknown)
來源： Evaristo Caretti (1879-1955)，中國及意大利，並由後人保存迄今
Robert Kleiner于1988年所作的評估中曾提及此組拍品，嘉慶款倭角蓋盒于1924年獲得于北京，乾隆款蓋盒獲得于1928年（地點不詳）
The square box and cover are decorated with an elderly figure holding a (如意) fungus and a boy carrying a vase containing a three-pronged halberd (三戟). The , meaning 'as desired' or 'as one wishes', conveys the notion of fulfilment of one's wishes, while the three-pronged halberd forms a pun on (三戟), which is associated through homophony with 三級 ('three grades' or 'ranks'), expressing the wish for advancement in rank. Together, these motifs convey the auspicious wish for 'quick promotion as you wish'.
The square box and cover with canted corners depict an episode from the ( 西廂記). The military commander Sun Feihu besieges the monastery in an attempt to abduct Miss Cui. Madam Cui promises that she will marry her daughter to whoever can repel the bandits. Eager to win the lady's hand, Zhang Sheng writes to his friend Du Que, the governor of Puzhou, seeking assistance, and entrusts the monk Huiming with delivering the letter and leaving the monastery to summon help.
See a very similar famille rose box and cover, c.1790, with similar decoration, in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London (acc.no.C.61&A-1864).
See a related famille rose box and cover of square shape with canted corners, Qianlong seal mark and of the period, which was sold at Sotheby's Paris, 9 November 2021, lot 109.