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Qianlong Period Art

The Qianlong period is not only characterized by great expansion and military victory, but also for its cultural achievements. The Qianlong emperor, Aixin-Jueluo Hongli, preserved the Manchu language and culture, commissioned the writing of traditional Chinese texts, restored Confucian culture in China, and encouraged the proliferation of Tibetan Buddhism. He is currently considered China’s last great emperor.

During the time of his reign, Hongli was extremely passionate about traditional arts and poetry. He himself wrote many poems and dabbled in calligraphy painting. He also studied and collected ancient art and artifacts as well as developed an imperial collection, which consisted of works from Chinese artists and others foreign artists.

Due to the Qianlong emperor’s interest in both traditional and foreign methods of art making, Qianlong art is characterized by diversity, reverence to traditional styles and types, and experimentation.


Quick Facts

  • Seal marks on Qianlong porcelains are usually a reddish color, though a few in blue are existent. These seals are applied in zhuanshu seal script, which is largely illegible to most people at this time
  • In November 2011, a Qianlong porcelain vase sold for $86 million. The market for Qianlong porcelains is still extremely competitive
  • Much of what we know about the Qianglong emperor is through thorough notes taken by a Jesuit appointed official. Details, such as when the emperor would wake, when he would eat, and what he would do throughout the day, were extensively documented

Recommended Items at Auction

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Seltener rote Qing-Qianlong-Teller
Jun 20, 11:00 AM CEST
Seltener rote Qing-Qianlong-Teller
by Das Kunst- und Auktionshaus Kastern GmbH & Co KG
Est: €200- €400
€3604 Bids
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A pair of Chinese famille rose jardinières, 7 x 9 1/2 in. (17.8 x 24.1 cm.)
Jun 25, 9:00 AM PDT
A pair of Chinese famille rose jardinières, 7 x 9 1/2 in. (17.8 x 24.1 cm.)
by Maynards Fine Art & Antiques
Est: $400- $600
$3804 Bids
19th Century Chinese Famille Rose Porcelain Vase
Jun 21, 10:00 AM EDT
19th Century Chinese Famille Rose Porcelain Vase
by Searchlight / Saucon Valley Auctions
Est: $100- $200
$602 Bids
A VERY RARE PAIR OF CHINESE CANTON ENAMEL LANTERNS WITH REVERSE PAINTED GLASS PANELS, QIANLONG
Jun 19, 9:30 AM CEST
A VERY RARE PAIR OF CHINESE CANTON ENAMEL LANTERNS WITH REVERSE PAINTED GLASS PANELS, QIANLONG
by Rob Michiels Auctions
Est: €6,000- €12,000
€4,8001 Bid
A PAIR OF CHINESE FAMILLE ROSE 'TOBACCO LEAF' PLATES, QIANLONG
Jun 19, 9:30 AM CEST
A PAIR OF CHINESE FAMILLE ROSE 'TOBACCO LEAF' PLATES, QIANLONG
by Rob Michiels Auctions
Est: €300- €600
€2501 Bid
A CHINESE FAMILLE ROSE 'LADIES AND BOYS' JAR WITH WOODEN COVER AND STAND, YONGZHENG/QIANLONG
Jun 19, 9:30 AM CEST
A CHINESE FAMILLE ROSE 'LADIES AND BOYS' JAR WITH WOODEN COVER AND STAND, YONGZHENG/QIANLONG
by Rob Michiels Auctions
Est: €800- €1,200
€6501 Bid
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GILT LACQUER PAINTED DRAGON PATTERN WOODEN JEWELRY BOX
Jun 26, 10:00 AM EDT
GILT LACQUER PAINTED DRAGON PATTERN WOODEN JEWELRY BOX
by William's Auctions, LLC
Est: $120- $180
$601 Bid
QING QIANLONG PASTEL GOURD VASE
Jul 03, 9:00 AM EDT
QING QIANLONG PASTEL GOURD VASE
by Eden Fine Antiques Galleries LLC
Est: $3,000- $5,000
$2001 Bid
CHINESE PORCELAIN TEAPOT
Jun 28, 11:00 AM EDT
CHINESE PORCELAIN TEAPOT
by Thomaston Place Auction Galleries
Est: $500- $700
$1001 Bid
AN 18TH CENTURY CHINESE EXPORT TOBACCO LEAF PORCELAIN PLATE Qianlong. 22.5 cm wide.
Jun 18, 9:30 AM BST
AN 18TH CENTURY CHINESE EXPORT TOBACCO LEAF PORCELAIN PLATE Qianlong. 22.5 cm wide.
by Hannam's Auctioneers
Est: £80- £120
£601 Bid
TWO CHINESE FAMILLE ROSE BOWLS WITH FLOWERS AND GEESE, QIANLONG
Jun 19, 9:30 AM CEST
TWO CHINESE FAMILLE ROSE BOWLS WITH FLOWERS AND GEESE, QIANLONG
by Rob Michiels Auctions
Est: €300- €600
€2501 Bid
Prato em Porcelana Chinesa, Companhia das Índias, reinado Qianlong
Jun 16, 7:00 PM WEST
Prato em Porcelana Chinesa, Companhia das Índias, reinado Qianlong
by Palácio do Correio Velho
Est: €10- €20
€101 Bid
A CHINESE BLUE PEKING GLASS VASE WITH ARABIC INSCRIPTION, QIANLONG MARK AND POSSIBLY OF THE PERIOD
Jun 20, 9:30 AM CEST
A CHINESE BLUE PEKING GLASS VASE WITH ARABIC INSCRIPTION, QIANLONG MARK AND POSSIBLY OF THE PERIOD
by Rob Michiels Auctions
Est: €400- €800
€3001 Bid
Antique Chinese Gilt Bronze Vase Qianlong
Jun 28, 11:00 AM EDT
Antique Chinese Gilt Bronze Vase Qianlong
by Kavanagh Auctions
Est: $50- $50,000
$501 Bid
A CHINESE ARCHAIC STYLE WHITE JADE CARVING, QIANLONG PERIOD (1736-1795)
Jun 19, 1:00 PM BST
A CHINESE ARCHAIC STYLE WHITE JADE CARVING, QIANLONG PERIOD (1736-1795)
by PLAKAS
Est: £300- £500
£2601 Bid
CHINESE CELADON PORCELAIN DRAGON MOON FLASK
Jun 27, 11:00 AM EDT
CHINESE CELADON PORCELAIN DRAGON MOON FLASK
by Thomaston Place Auction Galleries
Est: $800- $1,200
$2501 Bid
Prato em porcelana chinesa, Companhia das Índias. reinado Qianlong
Jun 16, 7:00 PM WEST
Prato em porcelana chinesa, Companhia das Índias. reinado Qianlong
by Palácio do Correio Velho
Est: €20- €40
€201 Bid
CHINE - Coupe en porcelaine à décor d'un paysage en famille rose verte, fin de la dynastie Qing
Jun 19, 9:00 AM CEST
CHINE - Coupe en porcelaine à décor d'un paysage en famille rose verte, fin de la dynastie Qing
by Dogny Auction
Est: CHF800- CHF1,000
CHF8001 Bid
A CHINESE FAMILLE ROSE 'MANDARIN DUCKS AND EIGHT IMMORTALS' DISH, QIANLONG
Jun 19, 9:30 AM CEST
A CHINESE FAMILLE ROSE 'MANDARIN DUCKS AND EIGHT IMMORTALS' DISH, QIANLONG
by Rob Michiels Auctions
Est: €600- €1,200
€5001 Bid
TWO 18TH CENTURY CHINESE EXPORT FAMILLE ROSE SAUCERS Qianlong. 12 cm diameter. (2)
Jun 18, 9:30 AM BST
TWO 18TH CENTURY CHINESE EXPORT FAMILLE ROSE SAUCERS Qianlong. 12 cm diameter. (2)
by Hannam's Auctioneers
Est: £30- £50
£201 Bid
QIANLONG MILLE FLEUR PORCELAIN BOWL
Jul 03, 9:00 AM EDT
QIANLONG MILLE FLEUR PORCELAIN BOWL
by Eden Fine Antiques Galleries LLC
Est: $3,000- $5,000
$2001 Bid

Sellers Who Sell Qianlong Period Art


William's Auctions, LLC

William's Auctions, LLC

Rob Michiels Auctions

Rob Michiels Auctions

Eden Fine Antiques Galleries LLC

Eden Fine Antiques Galleries LLC

Veilinghuis Onder de Boompjes

Veilinghuis Onder de Boompjes