AN UNUSUAL BLUE AND WHITE MOON FLASK QING DYNASTY, 18TH CENTURY

after a Ming Dynasty example, painted in underglaze-blue to either side with a lychee tree bearing fruit, the collar with a lappet border, the neck with stylised bamboo branches, all flanked by scroll handles

Restoration to the body, neck and handles. The colours of the flak are of a slightly softer blue than the illustration suggests.
"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."

A slightly larger flask of this pattern was included in the Singapore Art Society exhibition Chinese Art, Singapore, 1952, cat. no. 107, and another in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, is illustrated in Blue and White Ware of the Ming Dynasty, vol. 1, Taipei, 1963, pl.8, both attributed to the Yongle period but most probably eighteenth century examples.

See also a flask attributed to the Yongzheng period, of the same form and design but larger in its proportions, from the T. Y. Chao collection, sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 19th May 1987, lot 276; and another flask painted with branches of lychees within the same borders, sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 21st May 1985, lot 120.

For the Ming origin of this design compare the fifteenth century blue and white flask of the same pattern, but with stiff leaves on the neck, published in Sir Harry Garner, Chinese and Japanese Cloisonne Enamel, London, 1962, pl. 25, together with a contemporary enamel box with similar fruiting branches in the Musee des Arts Decoratifs, pl. 24.