A BLUE AND WHITE 'PEACH' MOONFLASK QIANLONG SEAL MARK AND PERIOD

the flattened circular body rising from a short spreading foot to a tall trumpet neck flanked by a pair of ruyi handles, moulded in low relief to the front and back face with a peach-shaped panel painted in rich cobalt-blue tones with bats amongst fruiting peach sprays, reserved on a leafy floral scroll ground and similarly decorated to the sides and neck, the foot with a classic scroll band, the base inscribed with a six-character Qianlong seal mark

Collection of T.T. Tsui (by repute).

In excellent condition. A faint line beneath the glaze to the left shoulder on one side, measuring approximately 20mm. A short firing crack to the underside of handle to the same side. Minute firing imperfections, otherwise in very good condition with minor surface wear.
"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 piece has been masterfully executed to resemble the celebrated wares of the early fifteenth century through the use of the 'heaped and piled' technique to render the designs. The Qing craftsman has carefully manipulated the cobalt pigment to simulate the uneven blue tones characteristic of the early Ming period that occurred naturally as a result of the cobalt and firing.

A closely related example was included in The Exhibition of Chinese Ceramics of Eight Dynasties, National Museum of History, Beijing, 1987, p. 65; one was included in the exhibition Beauty and Tranquillity. The Eli Lily Collection of Chinese Art, Indianapolis Museum of Art, Indianapolis, 1983, cat. no. 116; and another was exhibited in Ch'ing Porcelain from the Wah Kwong Collection, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 1973, cat. no. 66. See two flasks sold in our Hong Kong rooms, one from the collection of R.I.C. Herridge, sold 29^th November 1978, lot 235, and the other, 27^th April 1993, lot 166; and a third example sold at Christie's New York, 16/17^th September 2010, lot 1430.