Paire de grands vases couverts dit "soldier vases" en porcelaine de la famille rose Chine, dynastie Qing, époque Qianlong (1736-1795)

de forme balustre, la panse à décor famille rose et or d'un grand phénix sur une terrasse plantée de pivoines, un second phénix émergeant au revers derrière un rocher de lettré, une bande de fleurs, rosaces et cartouches ruyi stylisés autour du col se répétant sur le couvercle, une frise de grecques près du bord, la prise en forme de lions bouddhistes assis émaillés or, un grelot autour du cou  

One with a section of the cover rim restored with a hairline crack extending on approx 20 cm towards the lion knob and corresponding re spray to the glaze (the restoration is visible inside the cover). A restored C-shape section to the mouth rim corresponding to a previous crack or chip covering approximately 13 cm with corresponding re spray (the restoration is very good and hardly visible). Otherwise in good condition. The other with a forked 5 cm hairline inside the mouth rim (hardly visible), some rubbing 3 x 1 cm in one area to the iron red band around the shoulder. Otherwise in good condition.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Magnificent soldier vases of this form and painted decoration can be found in many important Western collections. The technical virtuosity needed for the production of such large vessels is evident not only in the potting but also in the firing of the pieces. European demand for such costly and extravagant vases, which often formed part of a large garniture, reached its peak during the 18th and 19th centuries when potters at the Imperial kilns at Jingdezhen, Jiangxi province, produced large quantities to satisfy demand.

Compare a similar large vase, from the Greville collection, illustrated in George C. Williamson, The Book of Famille-Rose, London, 1927, pl. LVII; another pair of related vases, from the Keck collection, sold in our Monte Carlo rooms, 13th February 1983, lot 329, and again, in our New York rooms, 5/6th December 1991, lot 29; and a pair of vases, from the collection of Lord Michelman, sold in our Monte Carlo rooms, 21st May 1978, lot 86.

A pair of vases of this type but painted with a variation of the well-known bird-and-flower design, formerly in the collection of King William I and now in the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, is published in Chinese Ceramics in the Collection of the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, Amsterdam, 1997, pl. 255.