A pair of gilt-decorated powder-blue-ground yen-yen vases Qing dynasty, 19th Century

each of classic yen-yen shape, gilded on the tall neck and flaring trumpet mouth with Su Shi's second 'Ode to the Red Cliff' inscribed in kaishu, accompanied by an illustration depicting figures riding in a raft along the banks of a river by moonlight beneath towering cliffs, the baluster body also inscribed in kaishu with the early Tang poet Wang Bo's 'Preface of the Poetry Collection of the Teng Wang Pavilion', beside two figures approaching the massive pavilion of Prince Teng, the two poems divided by a horizontal band of Buddhist emblems around the waist, repeated below the rim, all reserved on a deep-blue ground, gilt-wood stands (4)

The vase on the left side of catalogue image: This one has scattered kiln grit to the interior of the rim and traces of underglaze blue. There is wear to the gilding throughout. In good overall condition. The vase on the right side of catalogue image: This one has nibbles around the rim, glaze pull under the rim 3/8 inch long, and there has been wear to the gilding throughout. In good overall condition. The bases are similar but not identical, and one has a broken foot (piece included).
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.

See a gilt-decorated blue-glazed vase of this shape and size, from the W.G. Gulland collection, sold in our London rooms, 5th March 1974, lot 215. The companion vase to the Gulland vase is in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London. Kangxi yen-yen vases of this type can also be found decorated in blue and white; for example see several examples illustrated in Qing Shunzhi Kangxi chao qinghua ci, vol. 1, Beijing, 2005, pls. 305-309, and pl. 311.

The classical poem by Song dynasty poet and statesman Su Shi (1037-1101), Ode to the Battle of the Red Cliff (Chibi fu), tells the story of the famous battle at Chibi between the allied forces of the southern warlords Liu Bei and Sun Quan and the numerically superior forces of the northern warlord Cao Cao in the winter of 208 B.C. The victory of the allied forces gave Liu Bei and Sun Quan control of the Yangtze River area which provided a line of defense for the creation of the two southern kingdoms, Shu and Wu. This poem can also be found on Kangxi vases of other forms; for example see a square vase illustrated in Kangxi Porcelain Wares from the Shanghai Museum Collection, Hong Kong, 1998, pl. 31.  

Wang Bo (650-676 AD), also known as Wang Zian, was a poet who, along with Yang Jiong, Lu Zhaolin and Luo Binwang, is considered one of the 'Four Outstanding Poets of the Early Tang Dynasty.' 'The Preface of the Poetry Collection of the Teng Wang Pavilion' was written by Wang at the age of 27 upon the completion of the pavilion, which served as Prince Teng's townhouse since he was assigned governor of Nanchang.