Petite jarre en porcelaine Chine, dynastie Ming, époque Yongle (1403-1424)

de forme balustre à jolie glaçure blanche

Good overall condition with a burst air bubble to the rim.
"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."

The present jar belongs to a small group of early Ming period ceremonial white wares. It is extremely rare to find one of this unusually small size. For larger examples see a jar of related form excavated at Dongmentou, Zhushan, in 1994, illustrated in Imperial Hongwu and Yongle Porcelain Excavated at Jingdezhen, Taipei, 1996, pl. 85, with a cover.

White-glazed wares of this type continued to be made under the reign of the Xuande emperor ; see a larger Xuande vase of similar proportions recovered from the wasteheaps of the Ming imperial kilns and included in the exhibition Xuande Imperial Porcelain excavated at Jingdezhen, Chang Foundation, Taipei, 1998, p. 192, cat. no. 5, where it is mentioned that vessels of this type have also been found with Xuande reign marks. This piece is illustrated again together with a Jiajing copy in the Shanghai Museum in Lu Minghua, Mingdai guanyao ciqi, Shanghai, 2007, p. 281, fig. 5-5 and p. 282, fig. 5-8. Another related Xuande jar was sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 30th October 2000, lot 113.