An unusual 'guan'-type moonflask seal mark and period of Yongzheng

of well potted flattened circular form, rising from a flared oval foot to a cylindrical neck flanked by a pair of 'S'-scroll handles, finely moulded on each side with a central shou character roundel radiating petals in the form of a large chrysanthemum bloom, borne on a fleshy stem further issuing large leaves, all within a raised circular flange, the neck encircled by a raised horizontal fillet below the lipped rim, coverall overall in a thick creamy-grey glaze suffused with an irregular light and dark brown crackle, the recessed base inscribed with the six-character seal mark in underglaze-blue

The theme of archaism is represented through several aspects on this vessel and ones like it.  The glaze harks back to the pinnacle of Song Dynasty innovation and is a realistic attempt to recapture the spirit of the classic glaze with its bluish-gray tinge and light crackles.  The form of the moonflask goes back to as far back as the Shang Dynasty and were found in bronze form as well as pottery. 

See a related 'Ge' type moonflask molded on both sides with a central ying yang medallion encircled by the Eight Trigrams sold in our New York rooms 27th June 1981, lot 40. Another plain 'Ge' type moonflask with English mounts was sold in our London rooms 13th July, 2005, lot 207.