A RARE PAIR OF TOMBAK-MOUNTED BLUE AND WHITE KRAAK PORSELEIN FLASKS THE PORSELEIN: MING DYNASTY, WANLI PERIOD; THE MOUNTS 18TH CENTURY

each body of lobed pear shape rising from a short straight foot to a tall tapering cylindrical neck, painted in underglaze-blue to each of the six lobes with floral sprays and insects divided by narrow panels enclosing pendent jewels and all below a ruyi collar, the mounts encircling the body at the shoulder and foot joined by four vertical straps, the top of the neck with a cylindrical mount and detachable domed cover

Examined with mounts attached. The bottles are in very good condition with the exception of reduced necks, slight chipping to the bottom of the footring of one, adhered kiln grit around the base of each, minor glaze firing imperfections and light glaze scratches. It should be noted that the cobalt-blue is of a stronger tone than the catalogue illustration would suggest.
"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."

Three related vases were included in the exhibition The Inter-Influence of Ceramic Art in East and West, Idemitsu Museum of Arts, Tokyo, 1984, cat. nos. 17-18, one of Chinese and the others Japanese and Dutch Delft imitations, the Japanese evidently inspired by a bottle of the present design. See also a pair of blue-and-white bottle vases of this type, with silver mountings, sold at Christie's London, 27th November 1985, lot 1625; and a single vase, from the W.W. Winkworth collection, sold in these rooms, 13th February 1973, lot 38.

A closely related example is published in Regina Krahl, Chinese Ceramics in the Topkapi Saray Museum, Istanbul, vol II, London, 1986, pls. 1378-1380; another was sold in these rooms, 12th December 1989, lot 303; and a third vessel, listed  in the Countess of Devonshire's Last Will and Testament dated 1690, exhibited at Burghley House and included in the Catalogue, London, 1984, cat.no. 138.