A LARGE 'DOUCAI' 'PHOENIX AND PEONY' VASE QING DYNASTY, 18TH CENTURY

of square section, the pronounced shoulders tapering down to a short spreading foot and with a waisted neck and lipped rim, painted to the front and back in bright doucai enamels with a phoenix hovering over a peony blossom borne on leafy tendrils, the sides with further peony blooms on leafy stems, all between two stylised lappet bands, the neck with lotus blooms framed by squared scroll borders

The vase is in goodcondition with the exception of a small restored drill hole to the base and circa 1.2cm firing crack to the interior of the vase near the rim and minor glaze firing imperfections such as burst glaze bubbles and iron spots.
"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 vase is unusual for both its square section and the design of two phoenixes. A smaller vase of similar form, but with a wider neck and decorated with lotus scrolls, was sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 1^st November 1994, lot 78. Compare also two baluster vases of rectangular section painted with a dragon and phoenix amongst peony blooms on each of the main sides, one sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 3^rd May 1994, lot 149, and the other in these rooms, 8^th April 1981, lot 65.

The design of a highly stylised flower scroll and two phoenixes, rather than the pairing of a dragon and a phoenix, makes this vase special and rare. See a doucai meiping decorated with the same style of flowers, in the collection of the Imperial Palace in Shenyang, published in The Gathering of Select Gems from Shenyang Imperial Palace Museum Collection, Liaoning, 1991, p. 36. A hu-shaped vase adorned with two phoenixes on a scrolling flower ground was sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 26-27^th November 1976, lot 307.

This vase belongs to a special group of wares decorated in the doucai technique made during the 18^th century. Doucai decoration, whereby the motif is outlined in underglaze blue and coloured over the glaze with enamel, is derived from the cloisonné technique of the Ming period. The technique of producing doucai wares was developed during the Chenghua period (1465-87) as can be seen from the wonderful Chenghua chicken cups and stembowls. Doucai wares continued to be appreciated for their understated elegance and for their association with Chenghua porcelain throughout the Qing dynasty and were especially favoured by the Yongzheng and Qianlong emperors.