Lot 150
  • 150

A LARGE BLUE AND WHITE 'DRAGON' VASE QING DYNASTY, 18TH / EARLY 19TH CENTURY |

Estimate
30,000 - 50,000 USD
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Description

  • Height 17 7/8  in., 45.4 cm
of yuhuchun form, rising from a splayed foot to a pear-shaped body and a flared rim, painted in vibrant cobalt blue tones with two animated four-clawed dragons striding amidst cloud scrolls in pursuit of a 'flaming pearl' above a tumultuous sea, the foot with five soaring bats (wufu) between blue lines

Provenance

Collection of Courtland Field Bishop (1870-1935).
Donated to the Berkshire Museum, Pittsfield, Massachusetts in 1922.

Exhibited

Berkshire Museum, Pittsfield, MA.

Condition

The vase is in good condition with only minor expected wear to the surface and footring, and minor manufacturing imperfections (a small iron spot to the body and minute burst glaze bubbles to the interior of the mouth).
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.

Catalogue Note

The present yuhuchun ping is notable for its grand size, standing significantly taller than other vases of this type. It is also remarkable for its decoration. In the 18th and 19th centuries, yuhuchun vases were either produced with a monochrome glaze or painted in underglaze blue, with the latter almost exclusively painted with either the standard 'bamboo and plantain' garden or with allover floral patterns. The exception is a Qianlong seal mark and period blue and white 'dragon' yuhuchun sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 15th May 1990, lot 151. On the Christie's example, which is of standard size, the dragons stride across a field of scrolling lotus, all between typical border motifs comprised of plantain leaves, classic scroll, pendent ruyi heads, lappets, and lotus at the neck and foot. On the present vase, the tonality of the cobalt blue and the treatment of the dragons, particularly their bushy manes and elongated toes and claws, compare favorably to other blue and white vases of the late 18th to early 19th centuries, including a Jiaqing seal mark and period bottle vase sold in these rooms, 13th September 2017, lot 22, and a pair of unmarked blue and white 'dragon' vases attributed to the Qianlong / Jiaqing period sold at Christie's New York, 13th-14th September 2012, lot 1461.