A 'CIZHOU' 'FISH' JAR YUAN DYNASTY

the broad baluster body rising from a slightly recessed base to an angled shoulder and short tapering neck, set around the shoulder and neck with four lug handles, covered overall with a creamy slip and painted in light and dark brown with fish swimming amongst water plants, 25.5cm., 10in; together with a white-glazed jar and cover, and a fluted jar

Bo Gyllensvard, Chinese Ceramics in the Carl Kempe Collection, Stockholm, 1964, pls 283 ('Cizhou' 'fish' jar) and 494 (fluted jar).

'fish' jar: There is an approximately 4.5 cm hairline crack extending from the rim to a glaze chip with associated star-cracks on the glaze. The body with several circular areas where the glaze appear to have bubbled and is prone to chipping. Some areas already chipped, particularly by the fish's tail where there is a 1.3 cm affected area, which seems to have old attempts (using a gummy, resinous product) to contain the blistering of the glaze. This substance visible in some of the other areas. One of the handles also showing traces of this product. Craquelure throughout. Shallow glaze chip to the rim, with a 2 cm hairline crack on the rim. The foot with a 1.6 cm chip. fluted jar: Kiln grit on the lower section of the body, with the glaze dry and slightly degrading on the upper section. The rim a 5 mm chip and a 1.5 cm hairline crack. Minor chips on the foot. jar and cover: There are some large burst air bubbles on the shoulder, the largest 7 mm wide and another caused by a firing flaw. The foot with a 3 cm hairline crack extending onto two areas of craquelure. The cover may not be original to the jar. It has a 5 mm glaze chip to the top. The interior rim with a 3.4 cm crack. Minor surface wear to the finial.
"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."