with branches and leaves

Ader, Picard and Tajan, Paris, 16 June 1981, lot 25

Literature references:
- Alcouffe, A. Dion-Tenenbaum and G. Mabille, Les bronzes d'ameublement du Louvre, Dijon, 2004, p.155, n. 78
- J. Ayers, Chinese and Japanese works of art in the collection of Her Majesty The Queen, London, vol. II, 2017, pp. 485 and 486, n. 1252 à 1255
- S. M. Bennett and C. Sargentson, French Art of the Eighteenth Century at The Huntington, New Haven/London, 2008, pp. 158-159, n. 55
- L. Scheurleer, Chinesisches und japanisches Porzellan in europäischen Fassungen, Brunswick, 1980, p. 344, fig. 341
- Exh. cat. Madame de Pompadour et les arts, Paris, 2002, p. 470 et 472, n. 198

The illustration is quite accurate. The celadon has a slightly greener colour. Very attractive objects, unusual shape and highly decorative. THE GILT-BRONZE: cast in the shape and design of the celadon. Very pretty leaves, with a fine and delicate chasing. The gilding is ormolu gilding and original. There are some wears to the gilding as expected on pieces of that period (particularly to the moulded part of the base). THE CELADON PORCELAIN: Both longevity peaches are composed of two mural vases gathered with wire and incorporated in gilt-bronze mounts. 1st visible on the left of the catalogue: Front (visible in the catalogue): Some tiny firing cracks are visible especially among the vines and under the leaves, the biggest (visible in the catalogue illustration) of a ca. 1,5 cm. (1/3 in.) is visible under a vine on the upper part on the left. There is a ca. 0,8 cm. (1/3 in.) chip on a vine bearing a smaller gourd with a ca. 0,7 cm. (1/3 in.) glaze loss on the bottom. Back: The upper part situated under the bronze mounting has been slightly polished. Tiny firing cracks are visible especially on the vines. 2nd visible on the right of the catalogue: Front (visible in the catalogue): The upper part situated under the bronze mounting has been slightly polished. There is a ca. 0,4 x 0,4 cm. (1/6 x 1/6 in.) glaze loss on the smaller gourd and another one on the vine bearing it. There are tiny chips on the raised parts especially on the leaves and on the vines. There is a firing crack under a leaf in the middle on the right (visible in the catalogue illustration). Back: The upper part situated under the bronze mounting has been slightly polished. There are tiny firing cracks on the vines. There are tiny chips associated with glaze losses on the raised parts whose three visible on the smaller gourd. There is also a ca. 6 cm. (2 1/3 in.) round hairline in the middle on the right. Overall combination of the two materials, gilt-bronze mounts and celadon porcelain peaches overviewed by a marchand-mercier has been highly successfull. Very attractive objects, strongly recommended.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Objects as important as our pair of longevity fruits are undeniably the result of an assembly realized under the direction of decorative art dealers for a wealthy and refined clientele. Celadons with relief motifs were among the most popular, like the pair of potpourris in the Louvre, designed with four bowls with water lily leaves decoration mounted rim to rim (inv. OA 3893 and 3894). A pair of gourd-shaped bottles can also be comparable to our fruit ones. This is the one that was part of the collections of Viscountess Niel (Sotheby's auction, Monaco, 11 February 1979, lot 225). Two other pairs are housed in the Queen of England's collections, one with a Louis XV mounting (inv. RCIN 6024.1-2.a.b) and the other with a Neo-Classical mounting (inv. RCIN 53359.1-2).