Vase balustre en porcelaine tendre Chine, marque et époque Qianlong (1736-1795)

de forme balustre archaïsante avec un col évasé et deux anses de têtes d'éléphants, la section centrale décorée d'une large frise moulurée de masque taotie, entre deux bandeaux plus petits de dragons arcahaïques Kui, une frise de cartouche de ruyi autour du col et sur le pourtour du pied, le vase harmonieusement recouvert d'une belle glaçure transparente légèrement bleutée, la base circulaire incisée avec une marque kaishu Qianlong à six caractères

The rim is slightly grounded on approx 2mm. Four natural firing cracks to the foortim (showing on the illsutration in the catalogue), the longest approx 4cm. Otherwise in good condition.
"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."

It is rare to find vases of this exceptional quality and with such a crisp relief-carved surface decoration. Qianlong period vessels of this type, often referred to as 'imitating Ding Ware' (fang Ding yao) after the deep opaque white glaze associated with the much celebrated 'Ding' wares of the Song dynasty, formed part of the Qing Court collection, see The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum: Monochrome Porcelain, Hong Kong, 1999, pls. 239-241. The decoration found on this vase is inspired by archaic bronze vessels, and is comparable with a Qianlong marked soft-paste vase of bronze form with carved decoration of a broad band of archaistic dragons, included in the Min Chiu Society exhibition Monochrome Ceramics, Taipei, 1977, cat. no. 141; and another similar vase with cover sold in our Hong Kong, 17^th May 1988, lot 90.

For related examples of Qianlong vases of this type see a pair of bottle-form vessels with carved flower motif sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 8^th April 2007, lot 725; another vase with floral decoration, from the J.M. Hu collection, sold in our New York rooms, 4^th June 1985, lot 32; and one decorated with dragons, from the Alfred E. Hippisley collection, sold at Anderson Galleries, New York, 30^th January 1925, lot 248.