A RARE 'QINGBAI' 'MEDALLION VASE SOUTHERN SONG DYNASTY

the high shouldered body surmounted by a low waisted neck with an everted mouthrim, decorated around the body with nine six-lobed medallions enclosing peony flower heads, separated by small foliate scrolls, covered overall with a pale blue glaze pooling darker in the recesses, the base unglazed

Chugoku meito ten: Chugoku toji 2000-nen no seika [Exhibition of Chinese Pottery: Two Thousand Years of Chinese Ceramics], Tokyo, 1992, no. 50.

The vase is in overall good condition. There is some crazing and degradation to the glaze, and the surface has been polished.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

This elegant vase, finely carved and covered overall in a glossy glaze tinged with blue, exemplifies some of the best traits of the finest ceramics made at Jingdezhen during the Song dynasty. Produced at a number of kilns in the provinces of Jiangxi, Fujian and Anhui, qingbai ware, also known as yingqing, refers not to the geographic locations as was typical with other wares, but to its  appearance. Qing (green) and bai (white) denote the alluring pale blue-green tones of the brilliant translucent glaze which so effectively complimented the white porcellaneous body beneath. 

It is rare to find qingbai vases of this type with this decoration, and no other vase with this exact design appears to have been published. See, however, a related qingbai vase, carved with three six-lobed medallions, from the Gordon Collection sold at Christie's New York, 24th March 2011, lot 1119.