A GILT-DECORATED CELADON-GROUND 'FAMILLE-ROSE' LANDSCAPE VASE QING DYNASTY, QIANLONG PERIOD

of flattened baluster form, moulded to the front and back with an arch-shaped panel enclosing a finely enamelled landscape scene to the front face and a five line calligraphic poem to the reverse, all reserved against a pale celadon ground gilt-decorated with bats in flight amidst swirling ruyi-head cloud scrolls, the shoulder set with a pair of archaistic dragon mask handles suspending fixed rings

The vase has a ca. 6cm long hairline body crack to the shoulder and extending from the applied dragon-mask handle in a crescent shape over the panel (as partly visible in the catalogue illustration). Some loss of gilding due to rubbing. Very light overall scratching and rubbing to the glaze and enamel. The colours of the vase are brighter and the celadon glaze of a slightly more celadon green tone.
"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."

The poem of four lines may be translated as follows:
One bridge connects thousands of peaks and tens of thousands of valleys.
The shadow of the hut reflects high and low against the pine.
Joyful is one who has not cut ties with worldly matters,
how can I walk with a stick (indicating old age) up the Kong Tong Mountain?
Written in the dingmao year in the afternoon at the Eastern corridor of the Huan Ju Pavillion. Signed Lan Shi.  

A famille-rose vase of this form and size, also decorated with a landscape design on one side and a poem on the other, was sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 16th November 1973, lot 200, and again, 8/9th July 1974, lot 420.