A RARE CLOISONNE ENAMEL MOONFLASK MING DYNASTY, 16TH CENTURY

the flattened globular body rising from a short straight oval foot to a waisted gourd-shaped neck, set at the shoulder and upper neck with a pair of ruyi handles, brightly decorated around the exterior with scrolling leafy lotus strapwork reserved on a rich turquoise blue ground

Sotheby's London, 17th October 1978, lot 6.

"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."

The present flask is remarkable for its elegant form and superb quality of cloisonne enameling. It is also an early example of flasks of this form made in the cloisonne technique, with the majority of examples in museums and private collections attributable to the 17th century; such as the flask in the Pierre Uldry collection, illustrated in Helmut Brinker and Albert Lutz, Chinesisches Cloisonne, Zurich, 1985, pl. 188; and another published in Sir Harry Garner, Chinese and Japanese Cloisonne Enamels, London, 1962, pl. 54.

Compare also a slightly larger flask sold at Christie's London, 11th July 2006, lot 81; a flask of this shape but lacking the handles sold in our New York rooms, 10th November 1979, lot 25; and one, from the Jerome and Arlene Krieger collection, New York, without handles, also sold in our New York rooms, 21/22nd September 2005, lot 209.

The form of this flask is based on early 15th century Yongle period blue and white porcelain prototypes; such as the flask illustrated in Regina Krahl, Chinese Ceramics in the Topkapi Saray Museum. Istanbul, vol. II, London, 1986, pl. 616; and another in the Shanghai Museum included in the exhibition Seika jiki ten, Matsuya Ginza, Tokyo, 1988, cat. no. 16.