A FINE PAIR OF BLUE AND WHITE 'FLORAL' HU VASES SEAL MARKS AND PERIOD OF QIANLONG

each of archaistic hu form, well-painted in brilliant tones of underglaze-blu with simulated 'heaping and piling', the ovoid body encircled by two bands, the upper with continuous lotus scroll, the lower with a composite floral meander, all between slightly raised double-line borders, the shoulder set with animal mask and mock-ring handles, below the waisted flared neck decorated with ruyi-bordered stiff upright plantain leaves and a narrow wave band around the rim, the bottom register with a further wave band above a band of pendant petal panels encircling the high flared foot, the base with a six-character seal mark in underglaze-blue (2)

Marchant and Son, London.
Sotheby's New York, 27th November 1990, lot 160. 

The overall condition is very good for both vases. The glaze remains glossy. One vase has some faint glaze scratches to the interior of the mouth.
"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."

Compare a Qianlong vase of this form and design in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, illustrated in Porcelain of the National Palace Museum: Blue and White Ware of the Ch'ing Dynasty, Hong Kong, 1968, pl. 2; and one recently sold in these rooms, 30th October 2002, lot 282.

Vases of this type belong to a group of Qianlong blue and white wares discussed by Julian Thompson in 'Decorative Motifs on Blue and White in the S.C. Ko Collection', Chinese Porcelain. The S.C. Ko Tianminlou Collection, pt. II, Hong Kong, 1987, p. 31, with decoration adapted from fifteenth century designs but used on a Chinese bronze shape 'alien to the fifteenth century'. This type of vase remained popular and continued being made throughout the Qing period; see a Daoguang vase included in Geng Baochan, Ming Qing ciqi jianding, Hong Kong, 1993, pl. 510.