A RARE CHINESE EXPORT OX HEAD TUREEN AND COVER QING DYNASTY, QIANLONG PERIOD

naturalistically modelled and predominantly painted in shades of brown with large blue eyes, flaring nostrils and long curving ridged horns, the projecting jaw open displaying a row of white teeth and a long salmon-pink tongue, the upper half forming the detachable cover



 

Collection of Robert Lee Gill, New York

This rare and well modelled tureen and cover has restoration to a diagonal break running across the cover from the left horn to the right side of the snout and with associated smaller diagonal breaks (all of which appear relatively clean). the base is in good overall condition with exception of restoration to the tongue.
"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."

For a related tureen and cover, see David Howard and John Ayers, China for the West, vol. II, New York, 1978, cat. no. 627, where the authors suggest a date of 1750-1755 for the making of this type of vessels. Another similar tureen, from the Winterthur Museum, Delaware, is illustrated in Sekai toji zenshu, vol. 15, Tokyo, 1983, p. 240.

See also the famous tureen from the Mottahedeh Collection sold at Christie's London, 13^th October 1975, lot 76, and twice in our New York rooms, 30^th January 1985, lot 340, and 19^th October 2000, lot 391. This tureen was such a favourite of Mildred Mottahedeh's that when it was offered in the Mottahedeh Collection sale in our New York rooms for the first time, Mrs. Mottahedeh repurchased it at the auction.

For a third closely related example see the piece published in J. M. Beurdeley, Porcelain of the East India Companies, London, 1962, col. pl. 1 (frontispiece) and sold in our Monte Carlo rooms, 23^rd June 1986, lot 1107.