A VERY RARE SET OF FOUR CHINESE 'FAMILLE-ROSE' 'SOLDIER' VASES AND COVERS QING DYNASTY, CIRCA 1740-50

each of tall baluster form, finely painted with a continuous scene of peonies and other flowering plants in a garden with rockwork and blue fencing, beneath a ruyi-edged border filled with flowerheads on a blue scroll ground and a formal border of flowerheads around the waisted neck beneath a bamboo and flowerhead band around the rim, the covers each painted with matching patterned panels beneath a lotus knop. Together with four later giltwood stands. 12 pieces.

One cover has had the knop restored back on where it joins the body of the cover. Another cover has a 1 inch hairline crack to the rim. The third cover is in good condition with typical glaze fritting to the tip of the knop. The fourth cover has had the knop pinned back on with a metal pin running from the tip of the knop through to the underside of the cover. Two of the jars are in good condition. The third jar has come apart at the luting line midway down the neck and has been restored back together, with an associated crack running up from the luting line to the rim and a 3 inch restored chip to the rim. The restoration is old, flaked and discolored. The fourth jar has a crack running from the rim where there is an associated 2 ½ inch shallow chip; the crack runs until approximately 18 inches from the base. There is a further crack running horizontally from the first one, approximately following the luting line just below the widest part of the body, which runs for approximately 12 inches and has another further 3 inch crack extending from it. Some overall minor wear to the enamels and gilding.
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.

For a discussion of the term 'soldier' vase see the note to lot 2 in the present sale.

No other groups of four identically decorated famille-rose 'soldier' vases which have survived together appear to be recorded. A pair of vases with the same subject matter and same distinctive palette dominated by pink, blue and purple, was sold at Christie's, London, 2nd July, 1962, lot 107.