Gold cloisonne dou vessel with phoenix handles. Yongzheng reign (1723-1735), Qing dynasty.

Gold cloisonne dou vessel with phoenix handles. Yongzheng reign (1723-1735), Qing dynasty.

• Image Number: K1E000116N000000000PAD
• Dynasty: Qing dynasty
• Category: Enamel wares
• Function: Container
• Material: Minerals/Metals/Gold
• Description:
  The shape of bean shaped jar originates from the bronze bean shaped vessel of the Eastern Zhou Dynasty. The top, body, rim and belly of the jar are all gilded. The two ears on the body are used as the phoenix head ring, which is different from the bronze beans in ritual vessels from the Pre Qin Dynasty to the Han Dynasty. The whole body presents a circular pattern arranged horizontally in a crisscross manner with filigree enamel, as well as six continuous ripples spaced from the lid to the foot of the circle. The filigree lines are neat and thin, with smooth turns. The green enamel filled inside and outside the outline has translucent luster, like a gem inlay. There are three small rings in each big ring, each decorated with white enamel beads, which have a vivid decorative effect in the regularity. The four character regular script of “made in Yongzheng year” is engraved on the bottom of the circle foot, which is an example of the hope of Yongzheng style in the old silk cutting enamel wares of the Qing Palace. During the reign of Qianlong, a filigree enamel phoenix ear with very similar size, pattern and color was made according to this shape