A COPPER-RED 'DRAGON' BOTTLE VASE QING DYNASTY, KANGXI PERIOD

the pear-shaped body rising to a slender cylindrical neck, well painted around the body in copper-red with a sinuous five-clawed dragon rising above the waves in pursuit of a 'flaming pearl', the ground further decorated with ruyi head clouds

The rim has a 1 cm patch of fritting. The copper-red is a bit brighter on the reverse side. The cracklure is slightly dirty, but can probably be cleaned. The overall condition is quite good.
"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."

Underglaze red ceramics decorated with linear drawings are rare, and the present vase represents the great technical advances that allowed for this delicate style of rendering. No other related example appears to have been published; compare a Qianlong vase, with a reign mark and of the period, of ovoid form and with a tall trumpet neck, similarly decorated with a dragon amidst ruyi clouds above crashing waves and a ruyi-head encircled mouth, in the Qing Court collection and still in Beijing, illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum. Blue and White Porcelain with Underglaze Red (III), Hong Kong, 2000, pl. 174. For a depressed globular vase with a tall cylindrical neck painted with two linear dragons among scattered clouds, see one sold in these rooms, 16^th November 1973, lot 157.