Beschreibung:

AN IRON-RED-GROUND DOUBLE-GOURD 'DA JI' WALL PLAQUEQianlong/Jiaqing period Molded as a flattened double-gourd vase tied with a turquoise-enameled ribbon at the waist, the upper and lower bulbs of the vase each centered with a circular reserve enclosing the characters 'Da' and 'Ji' ('great auspiciousness'), respectively, painted in gilt within fine iron-red outlines, five dappled blue bats soaring around each cartouche, all against a vibrant iron-red ground densely patterned with gilt fretwork, the red body offset by the turquoise-enameled ribbon molded with stylized folds accentuated with black-enameled lines, a large gilt bat fanning its wings across the the vase's rim, the foot supported on an integral faux bois stand, the unadorned reverse with a recession for suspension. 13 1/2in (34.3cm) highFootnotesProvenance: Sara Fredericks (1903-1986), likely acquired in the 1960s in New York, thence by descent Double-gourd vases bearing the phrase 'Da ji' ('great auspiciousness') were traditionally used or gifted as good luck charms. Compare a nearly identical plaque from the Sir Quo-Wei Lee Collection attributed to the Qianlong period sold at Sotheby's, Hong Kong, 2 October 2018, lot 146; another, attributed to the Qianlong - Jiaqing period, sold in the same rooms, 11 July 2020, lot 3652; and a slightly less refined pair of this type attributed to the Jiaqing period sold at Sotheby's, London, 10 November 2010, lot 317. A related plaque, but with a white ground patterned with iron-red fretwork and gilt bats, attributed to the 18th century, sold at sold at Christie's, Hong Kong, 30th October 2001, lot 743, and later at Sotheby's Hong Kong, 4th April 2012, lot 3189. See also a similar 'Da Ji' hanging vase in the Shanghai Museum, illustrated in Selected Ceramics from the Collection of Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Hu, Shanghai, 1989, pl. 70. Sara Fredericks (1903-1986) was a socialite and premier retailer who specialized in luxury women's apparel. She was friends with top fashion designers including James Galanos Bill Blass Oscar de la Renta and Hubert de Givenchy and her company, Sara Fredericks Salon Shops, carried clothes by these designers as well as by Chanel, Chloe, and other iconic brands. The company had locations in Miami, Palm Beach, Sarasota, New York City, and Boston.