Vase archaïsant en porcelaine émaillée blanc à décor moulé Chine, dynastie Qing, marque et époque Jiaqing (1796-1820)

de forme balustre aplatie sous un long col évasé agrémenté d'anses ajourées figurant des phénix stylisés, la panse délicatement décorée de dragons archaïques kui et chauves-souris dans des entrelacs géométriques, l'épaulement agrémenté de têtes de ruyi et frise de grecques, le col de rinceaux feuillagés stylisés sous une frise de ruyi, le pied habillé d'une bande de pétales stylisés, harmonieusement recouvert d'une belle glaçure transparente brillante, marque en cachet à six caractères à la base

The vase is in overall very good condition. The glaze is a creamy white colour with light overall crackling. The vase is very lightly leaning to one side.
"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."

Soft-paste porcelain, which first appeared during the reign of the Kangxi emperor, was an innovation and improvement in the decorative techniques of the Qing potter. Suzanne Valenstein notes that a new material called huashi was used, replacing kaolin, in the making of these original wares, see Suzanne G. Valenstein, A Handbook of Chinese Ceramics, New York, 1989, p. 242. pl. 268. Fired at a low temperature to prevent warping and to allow the creation of a rich creamy tone glaze, soft-paste porcelain was used for making both contemporary pieces as well as objects imitating the celebrated Song dynasty 'Ding' wares, see The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum. Monochrome Porcelain, Hong Kong, 1999, pls. 239-241.

It is rare to find soft paste vessels with imperial reign marks, although a few earlier vases are known, such as the pair of vases with moulded flower decoration, bearing Qianlong reign marks on their base, sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 8^th April 2007, lot 725; another Qianlong hu-form vase is included in Suzanne G. Valenstein, op.cit. 289, pl. 268, in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York; one of bronze form in the Palace Museum, Beijing, published in Zhongguo taoci quanji, vol. 15, Shanghai, 2000, pl. 112; and a baluster vase with handles, the decoration similarly inspired by archaic bronze designs sold in these rooms, 12^th June 2008, lot 325. The form of the present vase is based on Qianlong period vases of this shape such as an example with gilt-painted decoration in the Shanghai Museum, illustrated in Zhongguo taoci quanji, op.cit., pl. 81.