RARE AND IMPORTANT LARGE PAIR OF PORCELAIN VASES WITH PHOENIXES DECORATION ENAMELLED IN IRON-RED, GRISAILLE AND GOLD WITH LIDS (THE LIDS PROBABLY SAMSON), CHINA, QING DYNASTY, QIANLONG PERIOD (1736-1795) Of baluster form, each enamelled in iron-red and gilt delicately decorated with two phoenixes perched on the terrace of a wooded and rocky garden. Surrounded by peonies and blooming prunus blossoms, each holds a small lingzhi branch in its beak. The neck and shoulder are adorned with Precious Objects intertwined among stylized floral scrolls. The lid is surmounted by a finial in the form of a Buddhist lion; gilt-wood European stand. In very good overall condition, the colour and gilding generally well-preserved, though some areas of rubbing to the upper section of one vase. The rims of the vases intact with no chips. Rubbing to the lion finials reveals the underlying layer of red paint. Patches of dirt, firing flaws to the interior. A 15,5 cm x 7,8 cm x 10 cm star-shaped hairline under the base of one vase and a 1,7 cm flake under the rim of one cover. The giltwood stands with a circle of wear where the base of the vases rest, but otherwise in good condition very minor wear on the surface; remarkable that a pair of monumental vases of this type are in such good condition. 133 cm high, 50 cm wide A MAGNIFICENT PAIR OF CHINESE EXPORT PORCELAIN IRON-RED, GRISAILLE AND GILT SOLDIER VASES AND COVERS (THE COVERS PROBABLY SAMSON), CHINA, QING DYNASTY, QIANLONG PERIOD (1736-1795) (2) Provenance: from a distinguished Italian private mansion of a Gentleman. Note: Known as 'soldier vases' this magnificent pair of covered vases is among the most remarkable productions of the famous Jingdezhen kilns in China during the 18th century. The name 'soldier vase' comes from the story of Frederick I (1670-1733), known as Augustus the Strong, King of Poland, an avid collector of Asian porcelain and founder of the Meissen factory, who traded in 1717 with Frederick the Great of Prussia, a regiment of 600 fully equipped soldiers, known as dragoons, for 151 pieces of Asian porcelain, as at the time, it was completely impossible in Europe to make anything of this size in ceramic. A similar single example sold at Christie's New York, 23rd January 2001 as lot 58 for $82,250. A related pair of vases from the collection of Esmond Bradley Martin at Knole sold Christie's Paris, 28 November 2017 as lot 704 for euro 235,500.