A RARE BLUE AND WHITE EWER YUAN DYNASTY

based on a Persian metal form, the flattened pear-shaped body of rectangular section and painted in vibrant cobalt-blue tones on one side with a leafy peony blossom and a leafy hibiscus spray on the other, set with a handle with an eyelet and ruyi terminal and a long spout painted with cloud scrolls and secured by an S-shaped strut, the foot and rim encircled by a keyfret border

Christie's London, 17th June 2003, lot 16.

This ewer has old restoration and overpainting to the neck, the top and bottom of the handle, the strut and middle of the spout, minor fritting along the edges of the body, glaze pulls to the bottom edge of the handle side and a hairline firing crack (4.5cm.) to the inside of the foot.
"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."

Ewers of this form are rare and no other example with this archetypal Yuan decoration appears to have been published. Compare a ewer of related form, but decorated with a scene of ducks in a lotus pond, excavated in Egypt in the early 20^th century, illustrated in Takatoshi Misugi, Chinese Porcelain Collections in the Near East, Topkapi and Ardebil, vol. 1, Hong Kong, 1981, p. 37 (top); and another potted with peach-shape panels depicting a dragon in pursuit of a flaming pearl on either side, sold in these rooms, 16^th June 1999, lot 787. This ewer shape is better known from Longquan celadon examples; for example see one from the Edward T. Chow collection sold in these rooms, 16^th December 1980, lot 308.