A RARE BLUE AND WHITE DRAGON VASE QING DYNASTY, KANGXI PERIOD

of ovoid form, rising to a rounded shoulder collared with three shallow stepped rings, below a waisted neck flaring at the mouth, painted in brilliant tones of cobalt-blue in line and wash with two leaping four-clawed dragons, each rising from white-capped swirling waves around the base, chasing after a 'flaming pearl' above angular rocks, all beneath pencilled borders of spirals and circles at the base of the neck

Collection of H.M. Knight.
Sotheby's Hong Kong, 28^th November 1979, lot 206.

The overall condition is very good, with the exception of some stained circular glaze gaps to the exterior, possibly to remove some kiln grits or potting flaws. The vase is brilliantly painted in vivid tones of cobalt blue.
"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."

A closely related example of slightly larger dimensions, from the Richard Bennett and Charles Russell collections, is illustrated in R.L. Hobson, The Later Ceramic Wares of China, London, 1925. Compare also a vase of this form and size and decorated with a similar scene, in the Palace Museum, Beijing, published in Chen Runmin, Qing Shunzhi Kangxi qiao qinghua ci, Beijing, 2005, pl. 256; another sold at Christie's, 5^th October 1970; and a third slightly smaller example sold in these rooms, 19^th May 1982, lot 216.

Similar dynamic scenes of dragons leaping from crashing waves in pursuit of a 'flaming pearl' can be seen decorating the foot of tazzas; see one, with a Kangxi reign mark and of the period, in the Nanjing Museum, included in  Zhongguo qingdai guanyao ciqi, Shanghai, 2003, p. 85; and another in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, published in the Illustrated Catalogue of Ch'ing Dynasty Porcelain in the National Palace Museum, vol. 1, Tokyo, 1980, pl. 15.