A VERY FINE AND RARE FLAMBE-GLAZED BOTTLE VASE QIANLONG IMPRESSED SIX-CHARACTER SEALMARK AND PERIOD

the slightly compressed globular body with moulded horizontal ribs around the waist and shoulder, covered overall in a flambe glaze of deep reddish-purple tone lightly mottled with milky pale blue to the body and the rim, the foot unglazed exposing the biscuit, the base covered in a caramel-brown glaze

John Sparks Ltd., London.

With the exception of light glaze scratching and a 2.8 cm hairline, this rare vase is in very good condition.
"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 piece is notable for its impressive size and brilliance and depth of glaze. Compare a closely related vase of slightly larger proportions, sold twice at Christie's Hong Kong, 27^th April 1997, lot 62, and again, 1^st December 2009, lot 1903; and another from the Eumorfopoulos collection illustrated in R.L. Hobson, The George Eumorfopoulos Collection Catalogue of the Chinese, Corean and Persian Pottery and Porcelain, vol. 5, London, 1927, col. pl. LXVII, no. E390.

Vases of this type derived from guan ware of the Song dynasty (960-1279) and demonstrate the mastery of the Qing craftsmen over the use of glazes and potting techniques. While imitating Song wares they also made innovations and developments on some of the traditional Song glazes; for example from the 'Jun' wares the flambé glazes derived. The form of this vase was first revived by the Yongzheng emperor and covered in Song-inspired glazes, including ru-type glaze, such as one in the National Palace Museum, included in the Special Exhibition of Qing Dynasty Monochromes, Taipei, 1981, cat. no. 79; and flambé-glaze, as seen on a vase sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 30^th May 2006, lot 1255. For the Song prototype of the shape, see a smaller guan vase, in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, included in the Special Exhibition of Sung Dynasty Kuan Ware, National Palace Museum, Taipei, 1989, cat. no. 21.