A BLUE AND WHITE 'PRUNUS' MEIPING VASE QING DYNASTY, KANGXI PERIOD

the curved sides supported on a double-pierced foot, rising to a rounded shoulder set with four semi-circular handles, surmounted by a short waisted neck with a lipped mouth, the exterior naturalistically painted in soft washes of cobalt-blue with a pair of butterflies, flying amidst a garden scene with a blossoming prunus tree, flanked by bamboo shoots and a peony branch springing from craggy rocks, wood stand

Sotheby's Hong Kong, 28th November 1979, lot 164 (one of a pair, the mate sold separately in lot 3113).

There is a firing crack of about 1.3 cm to the body below the luting line. Apart from some stained burst air bubbles and iron spots, 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."

This form appears to have inspired the Yongzheng meiping vase, characterised by a longer neck and three small loop-handles around the shoulder; see one covered in a robin's egg glaze in the Nanjing Museum, Nanjing, included in the exhibition Qing Imperial Porcelain, Art Gallery, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 1995, cat. no. 38; and a celadon-glazed example sold in these rooms, 7^th May 2002, lot 510.