A RARE RU-TYPE VASE QIANLONG SEAL MARK AND PERIOD

of baluster form, the flared rim rising from a waisted neck, covered in an even pale bluish-grey glaze, suffuzed with a network of golden-coloured crackle, the unglazed foot ring with a dark purplish-brown dressing, Japanese wood box

The vase is in good overall condition with the exception of a circa 16cm., long U-shaped firing hairline to the base which follows the line of the glaze crackle, a 2.5cm glaze pull to the base of the interior and very minor scratching to the glaze.
"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."

This vase is exceptional for its magnificent size and fine glaze in imitation of Song dynasty 'Ru' ware. The crackled wares of 'Guan' , 'Ge' and 'Ru' of the Song period were highly regarded by the Qianlong emperor who not only collected them but also commissioned the making of new porcelain with similar glaze from the imperial kilns for his appreciation. The present vase is an outstanding example of the very high quality monochrome wares produced in the Imperial kilns at Jingdezhen during his reign.   

Although no similar example appears to be published, this vase is comparable with a slightly smaller vessel of hu form, covered in sky-blue glaze, also with a Qianlong reign mark and of the period, illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum. Monochrome Porcelain, Hong Kong, 1999, pl. 95.   

The type is also known in celadon glaze; for example see a Qianlong vase included in John Ayers, Chinese Ceramics in the Baur Collection, vol. 2, Geneva, 1999, pl. 290, with a raised rim and carved decoration; and another celadon-glazed vase sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 10^th April 2006, lot 1524.

Smaller crackled Ge-type vases of closely related shape but surmounted with scroll-form handles on the shoulders have been sold at auction; see a vase sold in our London rooms, 10^th June 1986, lot 291, and again, in our New York rooms, 20^th May 1987, lot 519; and another vessel sold at Christie's London, 4^th December 1973, lot 357.

Compare another Qianlong Ru-type vase of similar angled shoulder form, but with a wide foot and the neck flanked by a pair of tubular handles, sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 1^st May 2001, lot 525.

Qianlong blue-and-white decorated vases of related form and size, but usually with a straight neck and cylindrical tubular handles, can also be found. For example, see one illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum: Blue and White Porcelain with UnderglazeRed (III), Shanghai, 2000, pl. 130; and another sold in our London rooms, 12^th November 2003, lot 172, painted with large lotus flowers.