A LARGE 'FAMILLE-VERTE' VASE, YEN-YEN QING DYNASTY, KANGXI PERIOD

painted with a pair of pheasants perched on rockwork amongst flowering peonies and magnolia, the reverse with a pair of songbirds in flight, beneath narrow ruyi and diaper borders at the shoulder, the slender neck painted with butterflies among flowering branches

Sotheby's Monaco, 23rd June 1986, lot 1094.
Sotheby's Hong Kong, 14th November 1989, lot 258.
Christie's Hong Kong, 31st March 1992, lot 630.

The blue enamel has misfired throughout to a matte purplish color and exhibits considerable crazing and large areas of flaking and pitting. There is a 1/4 inch shallow chip on the exterior under the rim. Some general light wear and typical scratching overall. The foot has some minor bubbling to the glaze. A slight lean to the neck.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Very large Kangxi vases of this form are rare, and are more usually found with narrative figural subjects, a pair of which from the Leonard Gow Collection is illustrated by R. L. Hobson, The Later Ceramic Wares of China, col. pl. XIII. A smaller vase of this form, with a more stylized version of the same subject, was sold in our London rooms, 6th December 1994, lot 199.