A fine blue and white hexagonal vase Seal mark and period of Qianlong

of stretched hexagonal section, finely painted in vibrant tones of underglaze-blue around the body with composite floral scrolls issuing lotus, camellia, lily and peony, the blooms wreathed by slender stems and a myriad feathery leaves, repeated around the angled shoulders, the waisted neck encircled with a frieze of crested waves, flanked by a pair of tubular handles each decorated with a stylised lotus bloom, the rim encircled by detached foliate sprays beneath a key fret band, the splayed foot with matching florets, the base inscribed with the six-character seal mark in underglaze-blue

Marchant & Son, London, 1990.

The vase is in excellent condition. There are two short firing lines to the bottom of one handle, the longer approx 0.6cm. The painting is particularly clean and crisp. The colours are quite well depicted 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."

A similar Qianlong vase in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, was included in the Special Exhibition of K'ang-his, Yung-cheng and Ch'ien-lung Porcelain Ware of the Ch'ing Dynasty, Taipei, 1986, cat.no.68; another in the Capital Museum, Beijing, is illustrated in Gems of the Official Kilns, Taipei, 1993, pl.84; and a third example from the Yokogawa collection is published in the Illustrated Catalogueof Tokyo National Museum. Chinese Ceramics, vol.II, Tokyo, 1990, cat.no.565.

Compare a closely related vase in the Palace Museum, Beijing, illustrated in Treasures in the Royalty. The Official Kiln Porcelain of the Qing Dynasty, Shanghai, 2003, pl.238; one in the Jingdezhen Ceramics Museum published in Liu Liang-yu, Ch'ing Official and Popular Wares, Taipei, 1991, p.154 left; and a third example sold recently in these rooms, 2nd May 2005, lot 658.