The uppermost globular section is decorated with four reticulated chilong medallions, reserved against an apple green ground decorated with scrolling lotus bats and shou characters, all resting on a support decorated with iron-red upright petals. The mid-section of the stand is divided by four vertical flanges above a bell-form base decorated with lotus scrolls separated by four pierced spandrels. The circular base is decorated with lotus scrolls on a pink ground with a scalloped faux-bois apron and base. Höjd 27 cm.
Small part at the top missing. Chip. Repair.
A Swedish private collector.
Compare a similar sold at Christies, lot 278, 7 Nov 2017 Live auction 13982,
Fine Chinese Ceramics & Works of Art.
Compare a similar turquoise-ground hat stand dated to the Qianlong-Jiaqing period (1736-1820) sold at Christie's London, 11 May 2010, lot 261, and a yellow-ground 'nine dragons' hat stand dated to the Daoguang period (1821-1850) sold at Christie's London, 8 November 2016, lot 80.
Hat stands for the Imperial Court were made in a variety of mediums, from jade to zitan, to lacquer and porcelain. Porcelain was a perfect medium, allowing the potter to craft the vessel to perfectly suit its purpose. As may be seen in the present lot, the uppermost spherical section was used as a vessel for perfumed contents, such as fragrant flowers or incense, to pleasantly scent the hat and surroundings through the four reticulated 'bat' medallions. The cover was cleverly made with a mechanism to lock it to the globular section.
The Qing Court Collection, in the the Palace Museum, Taipei, includes seven similarly modelled famille rose hat stands.