A FINE BLUE AND WHITE OVOID VASE SEAL MARK AND PERIOD OF QIANLONG

the ovoid body divided into four horizontal registers by three double fillets, the two central bands painted with composite and lotus foliate scroll interrupted by a pair of moulded dragon mask and ring handles, above a band of crashing waves around the base above a raised foot encircled with petal lappets, with a band of upright leaf tips on a slightly flaring neck, the base inscribed with the six-character seal mark in underglaze blue

The vase is in overall 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."

A closely related vase is published in Porcelain of the National Palace Museum. Blue and White Ware of the Ch'ing Dynasty, Hong Kong, 1968, pl. 2; and several have been sold at auction, including a pair and a single vase in these rooms, 8^th April 2009, lot 1679, and 30^th October 2002, lot 282; one sold in our London rooms, 10^th November 2010, lot 99; and another sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 31^st May 2010, lot 1904.

Vases of this type belong to a group of Qianlong blue and white wares with decoration adapted from fifteenth century designs on an archaic bronze shape that is 'alien to the fifteenth century' (see Julian Thompson, 'Decorative Motifs on Blue and White Porcelain in the S.C. Ko Collection', Chinese Porcelain. The S.C. Ko Tianminlou Collection, pt. II, Hong Kong, 1987, p. 31. This type of vase remained popular and continued to be made throughout the Qing period; see a Daoguang vase included in Geng Baochang, Ming Qing ciqi jiandong, Hong Kong, 1993, pl. 510.