A WHITE-GLAZED 'GU' VASE MARK AND PERIOD OF KANGXI

well potted in the form of an archaic gu vessel supported on a flaring foot, the bulbous drum-shaped body set between rows of bosses and fillets before rising to a tall trumpet mouth, applied overall with an even white glaze, the recessed base inscribed in underglaze-blue with a six-character reign mark

Apart from some minor fritting to the glaze around the small bosses an fillets, the overall condition is quite good. The actual colour is quite close to the catalogue illustration. There is a wooden stand with this lot.
"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 fluidity of this rare gu-shaped vase is accentuated by the smooth white glaze that pools gently around the raised rings and dots. See a closely related example in the Qing Court collection and still in Beijing, illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum. Monochrome Porcelain, Hong Kong, 1999, pl. 112; and a Yongzheng example, with a reign mark and of the period, in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, published in the Illustrated Catalogue of Ch'ing Dynasty Porcelain in the National Palace Museum. K'ang-hsi ware and Yung-cheng Ware, vol. 1, Tokyo, 1980, pl. 150.

Compare also a related clair-de-lune glazed vase, with a Kangxi reign mark and of the period, in the Qing Court collection and still in Beijing, included in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum. Monochrome Porcelain, op. cit., pl. 90.