Aguamanil; China, Qing dynasty, c. 1900.

Ewer; China, Qing dynasty, c. 1900.
Enameled and gilded copper.
Measurements: 35 x 42 x 21,5 cm.
Executed in enameled and gilded copper using the complex cloisonné technique, the piece stands out for the extraordinary chromatic richness of its enamels and the meticulousness of its ornamentation, conceived both for visual delight and to express auspicious meanings deeply rooted in Chinese tradition.
The shape of the ewer reveals a sophisticated integration between functionality and sculptural fantasy. The handle takes the form of a dragon's head, a creature associated in Chinese culture with imperial power, wisdom and protection, while the spout emerges from the head of a qilin, a mythological animal considered a symbol of prosperity, harmony and good omen. A vibrant decoration of playful Buddhist lions and fantastic creatures amidst stylized clouds and floral motifs unfolds over the globular body, creating a dynamic and visually rich surface. The golden lotus petals on the gilded lotus foot reinforce the ceremonial and spiritual dimension of the work, as the lotus has profound connotations of purity and elevation in Buddhist thought.
Beyond its original function as a container for water in ritual or domestic contexts of prestige, this piece should be understood as an object of cultural representation and status. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Chinese cloisonné enamels were in great demand in the West, especially among collectors fascinated by oriental exoticism and the technical quality of late imperial production. The virtuosity of the enamels, the iconographic complexity and the delicate balance between sculptural forms and decoration make this ewer a work of remarkable artistic and historical interest, testimony to the final splendor of the sumptuary arts of Qing China and the intense aesthetic dialogue between East and West at the turn of the century.