China, first half of the 20th century. The ovoid body rising from a spreading foot to a broad neck with an everted gilt rim. Finely painted in bright enamels with gilt highlights to depict scholars playing a boardgame on a rocky platform further set with precious objects, comprising two stacked boxes, scrolls in a burlwood scroll pot, as well as coral and a bamboo rod in a blue and white pear-shaped vase. The men look on as an attendant fans them, all three looking toward Chang'e, the goddess of the moon, cradling her lunar hare, with her attendant not far behind, all under a gnarled towering pine tree.

Inscriptions: The base with an iron-red four-character hall mark, Shendetang zhi (Hall of the Prudent Virtue).

Provenance: From a private collection in Moray, Scotland, and thence by descent in the family.
Condition: Good condition with minor wear and firing irregularities, little rubbing to the gilt and enamels, and few small chips to the rim.

Weight: 3,787 g
Dimensions: Height 40.8 cm

Shendetang (Hall of Prudent Virtue) is a hall mark associated with a range of fine porcelains made for the Hall of Prudent Virtue, a summer residence of Emperor Daoguang. The Daoguang Emperor was known as a prudent, kind, and frugal ruler; however, one area he chose to invest heavily was the Yuanmingyuan. The financial review of the Yuanmingyuan in 1824 showed a significant surplus; thus, the ample money available allowed Daoguang to construct the Shendetang, the new living quarters, in 1830, which were completed in 1831. The Hall featured three connecting wave roofs on a square-shaped structure, hence showing a distinct character that was markedly different from the more rigid Confucian-inspired architecture. The greater degree of freedom in arrangement and design reflects the style of porcelain that was lavishly produced for the Hall. Daoguang pieces inscribed with the Shendetang mark are attributable to the two decades between 1831 and 1850 and are often characterized by novel designs.

Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Bonhams San Francisco, 21 June 2011, lot 8370
Price: USD 6,100 or approx. EUR 7,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A pair of famille rose enameled porcelain baluster vases, Shende Tang Mark, Republic Period
Expert remark: Note the identical dating of this lot, the manifold similarities in style, painting, technical execution and size (46.5 cm). Note that this result is for a pair.