The latest biannual offering at Tremont Auctions, known for its 22% buyer’s premium, was significantly highlighted by the extraordinary performance of a single lot.
A seemingly modest porcelain incense box and cover, adorned with intricate butterflies and flowers and marked with a Yongzheng (1722-35) four-character seal, astoundingly soared to a final bid of $320,000 (£246,000). This remarkable ascent began from a modest initial bid of just $250.
The auction, held in Massachusetts on June 30, drew bidders who were optimistic that this 2.25-inch (6cm) box belonged to a rare and distinguished group of early 18th-century famille rose vessels, celebrated for their exquisitely painted butterfly and floral motifs.
The motif of butterflies combined with flower sprays has its roots in Ming Dynasty blue and white porcelain but gained new vibrancy during the Qing Dynasty with the advent of the famille rose palette, characterized by its overglaze enamel colors.
During the Yongzheng reign, the renowned ‘butterfly bowls’ were introduced, featuring depictions of two butterflies facing each other, symbolizing a joyous encounter. In Daoist belief, butterflies represent the freedom of the soul, and in Qing Dynasty art, they often conveyed the duplication of auspicious wishes. This is because the word for butterfly in Chinese is homophonous with a word meaning “to repeat.”
The floral elements were equally significant, featuring tree peony blossoms, revered as the ‘king of flowers’ in Chinese culture, and jasmine, whose fragrant blooms were used in the 18th century to embellish and perfume the emperor’s apartments and garments.
Tremont Auctions reported that the box was in good condition, save for a faint hairline crack on the cover measuring about 10mm. This minor imperfection, however, did not deter the fervent bidding, resulting in a sale that underscores the enduring allure and significant value of such historical artifacts.
