A 'QINGBAI' EWER, COVER AND BASIN SONG DYNASTY

the ovoid body of the ewer rising from a short spreading foot to a cylindrical neck, carved with a band of peony to the shoulder, with an applied tall outward-curved spout and strap handle, the cylindrical cover carved with descending leaves and surmounted with a lion finial, set within a foliate lobed basin, its rounded sides rising from a tall spreading foot to a foliate rim, carved with a continuous band of peony, both covered in a pale brown, turquoise blue crackled glaze

The ewer, cover and basin are in fair overall condition with the exception of many hairline glaze cracks and glaze firing imperfections including: cover - firing breaks to both front legs of the animal finial, three hairline firing cracks to rim of cover (2cm longest); ewer - a 2 x 4mm flake to the bottom edge of the spout, a hairline glaze crack encircling the waist of the body with five vertical short cracks extending from this, seven short hairline cracks to the footring; basin - three circa 2cm., long hairline cracks to interior of footring and extending circa 5cm., up the exterior of the foot, three glaze firing holes and associated star glaze cracks radiating from these, four hairline rim cracks circa 2.5-3cm., long. The glaze has been stained due to burial and would benefit from cleaning.
"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."