A RARE WHITE-GLAZED SOFT-PASTE ARCHAISTIC VESSEL AND COVER (GUANG) QING DYNASTY, 18TH CENTURY

imitating an archaic bronze guang, the pouring vessel of rectangular section below an oval section neck, all raised on a tall splayed foot, the sides molded with a wide taotie mask band below archaistic confronting chilong and phoenix, set with an archaistic chilong-form handle, the cover similarly decorated and molded with the head of the mythical beast with protruding antlers and a ruyi-head form tail (2)

Private European Collection.

The cover is in good condition. The guang has three very small chips to the flanges and a shallow 1/4 in. chip to the underside of the foot. There is a 1/8 in. chip on the underside edge of the lip of the spout. Both pieces have overall fine crazing to the glaze. Otherwise, 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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

The guang, originally an archaic bronze form, was a popular form in the Qing dynasty and was thus produced in other materials. For an example in jade in the National Palace Museum collection, see The Refined Taste of the Emperor: Special Exhibition of Archaic and Pictorial Jades of the Ch'ing Court, Taipei, 1997, pp. 82 - 83, no. 13.

Compare a very similar white-glaze soft paste guang vessel illustrated by Robert Blumenfield, Blanc de Chine, Berkeley, 2002, p. 198.