A Fine and Very Rare Chinese Imperial Hunting Knife with Enameled Gold and Silver Sheath, Qing Dynasty, Qianlong Period, cir...

Description

A Fine and Very Rare Chinese Imperial Hunting Knife with Enameled Gold and Silver Sheath, Qing Dynasty, Qianlong Period, circa 1735-1796
Marks: Inset gold wire four-character Qianlong mark and of the period
10-3/4 inches long (27.3 cm) (knife)
10 inches long (24.5 cm) (sheath)
12-1/4 inches long (31.1 cm) (knife in sheath)

PROVENANCE:
Reputedly purchased from Andre DuBord Continental Antiques, Clearwater, Florida, 1950s;
Thence by descent.

Property of a Pennsylvania Gentleman
The hunting knife having lapis lazuli and pure white jade-mounted hilt, bolster fitted with collar inset with turquoise, coral, and lapis cabochons, gilded blade having spine inset with gold wire Qianlong Nianzhi mark, sheath decorated with various cabochon mounts to upper collar, body with stippled ground interspersed with green enamel flourishes, silver midsection decorated in blue enamel and repoussé foliate and floral pattern, terminating with lotus bud.

Ref: Christie's Hong Kong, Important Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, 30 November 2011, Lot 3223.
Sotheby's Hong Kong, Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, 8 April 2010, Lot 1812.



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