A CHINESE WHITE GLAZED PEAR-SHAPED VASE

18TH CENTURY

Carved with flowers growing amongst scrolling leafy branches, the design contained between bands of ruyi-heads and lappets, the neck decorated with pendant leaves, with two applied handles shaped as ruyi sceptres, 30.8cm.

Provenance: from the collection of Sir Raymond Smith KBE (1917-2002) and Lady Smith (1918-1996).

Raymond and Dorothy Smith met in Caracas, Venezuela, in 1939 whilst Raymond was serving as Attaché at the British Embassy liaising with the US on behalf of British Security. They married the following year shortly before returning to the UK. Dorothy then worked for the Ministry of Information in London and Raymond served with the Intelligence Corps in France and various countries in the Far East. After the end of the Second World War, Raymond and Dorothy returned to Venezuela where they made their home. Raymond became a consultant representing various Defence and Aviation companies including British Aerospace, Marconi Plessey and Rolls Royce among others. In 1960, he was awarded the CBE and subsequently in 1967 the KBE for services to British exports. Raymond and Dorothy maintained close ties with the UK and they frequently travelled to London, becoming avid art collectors. Their Old Master and Impressionist works collection included two pieces by Canaletto amongst many other artworks. Their wide-ranging collections, including their collection of Chinese Art, were acquired from the mid 1960s through to the 1980s, principally from Sotheby's and Christie’s in London.

Cf. Bonhams Hong Kong, 28th November 2017, lot 30 for a pair of related Qianlong mark and period white glazed carved bottle vases also with ruyi-shaped handles.