A CELADON-GLAZED DOUBLE-GOURD VASE QIANLONG SEAL MARK AND PERIOD

robustly potted with a compressed globular lower bulb, surmounted by a slightly smaller upper bulb gently rising to a narrow mouth, covered overall in a soft celadon glaze thinning at the rim and leaving an unglazed ring at the bottom, the recessed base inscribed with a six-character Qianlong seal mark

Sotheby's Hong Kong, 29^th November 1976, lot 541.

The vase is in very good condition with the exception of very light and minor glaze scratches.
"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 with cover in the Nanjing Museum, Nanjing, was included in the exhibition Qing Imperial Porcelain of the Kangxi, Yongzheng and Qianlong Reigns, Art Gallery, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 1995, cat. no. 69; and another is published in Chinese Porcelain. The S.C. Ko Tianminlou Collection, vol. 1, Hong Kong, 1987, pl. 160. See also a vase in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, illustrated in Suzanne G. Valenstein, The Hertzman Collection of Chinese Ceramics, New York, 1992, pl. 98; another from the Jingguantang collection, included in the Min Chiu Society exhibition Splendour of the Qing Dynasty, Hong Kong Museum of Art, Hong Kong, 1995, cat. no. 212, and illustrated in The Tsui Museum of Art, vol. IV, Hong Kong, 1995, pl. 37, together with its pair, sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 3^rd November 1996, lot 571; and a third example, from the collection of Frederick J. and Antoinette H. van Slyke, most recently sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 8^th April 2011, lot 3020.

A slightly smaller vase is published in Regina Krahl, Chinese Ceramics from the Meiyintang Collection, vol. 1, Hong Kong, 1987, pl. 160; a slightly larger example was sold in these rooms, 12^th July 2006, lot 142; and another was sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 29^th April 1997, lot 581.

An emblem of the unity of heaven and earth and symbolic of fertility and abundance due to its many seeds, the double gourd was used extensively in the decorative arts of China from the Song dynasty.