A PAIR OF DOUCAI JARS AND COVERS QING DYNASTY, KANGXI PERIOD

each of globular form supported on a wide base and rising to a short neck, painted around the sides in bright doucai enamels with camellia and pink blooms and their associated foliage growing from pierced ornamental rockwork, with butterflies fluttering above, surmounted by a flat circular cover decorated with ruyi head sprays to the top and cloud swirls around the sides, the base inscribed with a four-character apocryphal Chenghua mark in underglaze-blue within a double-circle

To one jar, there is a hairline starcrack to the exterior, which does not go through the interior, of approx 2cm. There are stained pinprick burst air bubbles to the rim. To the other, there are a few firing glaze gaps on the interior. To both jars, there is some rubbing to the iron-red on the cover and around the neck, and surface scratches to the exterior. Otherwise both pieces are in good condition overall.
"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 design on the present pair of jars is inspired by the Chenghua prototype; and is very close in shape and decoration.  See a jar, but without cover, of Chenghua mark and period, in the Percival David Foundation, illustrated in A.D. Brankston, Henri Vetch, Early Wares of Chingtechen, Beijing, 1938, pl.24; and two in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, published in Porcelains in Polychrome and Constrasting Colours, The Complete Collection of the Treasures of the Palace Museum, Taipei, 1999, pls. 164 and 211. 

See a similar pair of 18th century doucai jars, but without the covers, sold in our Paris rooms, 14th June 2007, lot 156.