A RARE FLAMBE-GLAZED 'LINGZHI' VASE QING DYNASTY, 18TH CENTURY

the body naturalistically modelled as a hollowed lingzhi spray and rising from a recessed base to a widely flaring rim, moulded in high relief around the base with small lingzhi sprays and covered overall in a thick rich streaky red and blue glaze thinning to a buff tone at the moulded edges

The vase has restoration to a broken section of the rim, approx. 6cm wide, and to two lingzhi heads on the body, approx. 2.5cm and 3cm wide, which appear to have been relatively clean breaks; a short firing crack on the rim; a 0.3cm by 0.2cm iron spot to the glaze of the rim; and overall tiny flakes to the glaze which is inherent to this type of glazing; otherwise the vase is in good condition.
"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 closely related example, in the W.T. Walters collection, is illustrated in S.W. Bushell, Oriental Ceramic Art, London, 1981, p. 77, fig. 109; and a slightly smaller vase is published in Zhongguo gudai taoci yishu, Beijing, 2007, pl. 132.