A PAIR OF LIME-GREEN GROUND FAMILLE-ROSE VASES, GU SEAL MARKS AND PERIOD OF DAOGUANG

each of archaistic gu form, the central globular body supported on a bell-shaped foot surmounted by a widely flaring trumpet neck, brightly and finely painted around the body with bajixiang amid large lotus blooms on dense scrolling leafy stems, between stiff plantain leaves and key-fret bands, with ruyi heads around the mouth with gilt rim, all reserved on a lime-green ground, the interior and the underside glazed turquoise, the base of the neck inscribed with a six-character reign mark in iron-red

One vase has two 0.5 x 1.5 cm restuck chips with associated tiny losses refilled. There is an associated hairline measuring 1.5 cm (extending to about 6 cm from the rim on the interior). The other vase has a hairline crack of approx. 3 cm long from the rim and a short 0.3 cm firing crack to the mouthrim. Both vases have some enamel flakes and surface scratches, but most of the original enamelling are in 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."

These vases are impressive for their large size and no other closely related example appears to have been published. A pair of smaller Daoguang vases of this type is published in the Illustrated Catalogue of Tokyo National Museum. Chinese Ceramics II, Tokyo, 1990, pl. 678; and a Jiaqing mark and period example was sold in these rooms, 25^th October 2005, lot 440.

Gu vases of this form and decoration were made as part of a set of altar garnitures; see a similarly decorated five-piece garniture of smaller dimensions comprised of two gu vases, two candlesticks and one censer, also with Daoguang seal marks and of the period, sold in these rooms, 31^st October 1995, lot 536, and again in our London rooms, 17^th December 1996, lot 163; and another garniture sold at Christie's New York, 1^st December 1983, lot 525. Compare also a Daoguang mark and period garniture of this size, and decorated in underglaze blue, sold in our Paris rooms, 10^th December 2010, lot 202.