A LARGE ARCHAISTIC 'RU'-TYPE VASE QIANLONG SEAL MARK AND PERIOD

of flattened pear shape molded with raised strapwork panels, the tall waisted neck set with a pair of stylized fish handles, all supported on a spreading foot and covered overall with a bluish-gray glaze

Sotheby's London, 12th July 2006, lot 132.

There are scattered pinpricks and iron-spots on the body. The handles have extensive glaze frits, burst air bubbles, pinholes and iron-spots, visible in the catalogue illustration. The rim with a few burst air bubbles, with a very fine glaze crack running horizontally. Just below the rim a glaze drip fired to a paler green/white color. The base with 1/4 inch long glaze pull. The top of the foot where it joins the body has a brownish line, where the color beneath is bleeding through the glaze. The foot also with a 1 inch glaze crack and a small burst air bubble. The color is more greenish-gray than the catalogue image suggests.
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.

A similar ru-type vase also with a Qianlong reign mark and of the period is illustrated in Regina Krahl, Chinese Ceramics in the Meiyintang Collection, vol. 2, London, 1994, pl. 873; three further examples were sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 29th November 1979, lot 290; 29th October 2001, lot 576; and the third piece, 20th April  2006, lot 1624. Compare also a larger Qianlong vase of this form but covered with a teadust glaze, in the Palace Museum, Beijing, illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum: Monochrome Porcelain, Hong Kong, 1999, pl. 247.