A PEACHBLOOM-GLAZED 'BEE-HIVE' WATERPOT MARK AND PERIOD OF KANGXI

the finely potted hemispherical body gently rising to a short waisted neck, incised with three circular medallions enclosing a stylised archaistic dragon design, applied overall with a soft reddish-pink glaze with areas of characteristic mushroom-coloured mottling and green speckles to the neck, the interior and countersunk base glazed white, inscribed on the base with the six-character mark in underglaze-blue  

There is one iron-spot on the mouth rim, which also has a small hairline crack on the exterior and running over the top approximately 7 mm long. The body with tiny scattered iron-spots and pinholes. The foot ring with miniscule shallow chips. The color is less dark than the catalogue image suggests. It is 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."

Waterpots of this form are known as Taibo zun after the Tang dynasty poet Li Taibo, who is often depicted leaning against a large wine jar of similar form.  Also referred to as qizhao zun, because their shape resembles that of a chicken coop, these vessels belong to a group of eight 'peachbloom' wares for the scholar's desk, a complete set of which is illustrated in Suzanne Valenstein, A Handbook of Chinese Ceramics, New York, 1989, p. 237. 

Similar waterpots can also be found in many important museum collections, including one in the Palace Museum, Beijing, illustrated in Kangxi, Yongzheng, Qianlong: Qing Porcelain from the Palace Museum, Hong Kong, 1989, p. 142, pl. 125; and in the Percival David Foundation, London, published in Illustrated Catalogue of Ming and Qing Monochrome Wares, London, 1989, no. 580 and on the cover.  Compare also a closely related example sold in our New York rooms, 19th September 2002, lot 130 and later sold in these rooms, 25th April 2004, lot 257; one sold in these rooms, 2nd May 2005, lot 671; and one of a set of related wares from the Jingguantang Collection, sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 3rd November 1996, lot 557.