A RARE SMALL LIME-GREEN GLAZED VASE MARK AND PERIOD OF YONGZHENG

of well potted small squat form with low angular shoulders rising to a cylindrical neck and dished mouth, finely carved around the sides with a frieze of three asymmetrical archaistic kui dragons composed of detached scroll motifs, below 'S'-scrolls and detached stylised zoomorphs, all separated by small studs, with a band of upright overlapping leaf lappets below further 'S'-scrolls, evenly applied overall with a rich lime-green glaze thining on the raised surfaces to enhance the decoration, inscribed on the base with the six-character seal mark in underglaze-blue 

The overall condition appears to be very good with only a minor pinprick along the rim and light enamel wear around the shoulders. The actual colour appears to be about 5% yellower than in the catalogue illustration.
"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."

Vases of this form and size are extremely rare.  The mallet-shaped form may be derived from taller Yongzheng examples with plain celadon glazes, possibly in imitation of Song dynasty mallet or 'paper-beater' vases in Longquan celadon and their fine 'kinuta' glazes.  See a related Yongzheng example in the Bauer Collection, Geneva, illustrated in The Baur Collection, Chinese Ceramics, Geneva, vol.3, no. A361, and another was sold in these rooms, 28th November 1978, lot 189.

Carved-slip decoration recalling archaic bronzes may be found on much larger celadon-glazed vases.  However, vases of this form, with asymmetrical design are very rare, and no other Yongzheng example similiar to the present piece appears to be recorded.  Compare a Qianlong example, of similar form but of slightly larger size, sold in our New York rooms, 19th September 2001, lot 155.   Its identical companion piece is in the Walters Art Museum, Baltimore, Maryland, accession no. 49.1314.