A GUAN-TYPE DOUBLE-GOURD BOTTLE VASE SEAL MARK AND PERIOD OF QIANLONG

the globular lower bulb rising to a smaller ovoid bulb splitting into three slender necks, the two bulbs indented with three deep furrows, dividing the vessel into three lobes, covered overall in an opaque light greyish-green glaze suffused with a network of crackles stained light brown, all supported on the low trefoil foot covered with a dark brown wash, the base inscribed with a six-character reign mark in underglaze blue

Regina Krahl, Chinese Ceramics from the Meiyintang Collection, London, 1994-2010, vol. 2, no. 876.

Two of the mouths have a few frits to the mouthrim and a discoloured glaze crackle around the base of one of the necks with a tiny bit of glaze loss. The footrim has a short 2 mm firing crack across the footring. The overall condition is very good.
"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."

Similar triple vases with finely shaped trefoil foot come with various greenish glazes inspired by Song dynasty guan, ge, or Ru wares. A vase of this form with a crackled glaze described as 'sky-blue', probably from the Palace Museum collection, is illustrated in Geng Baochang, Ming Qing ciqi jianding [Appraisal of Ming and Qing porcelain], Hong Kong, 1993, pl. 446; one without the distinct decorative crackle in the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco is illustrated in He Li, Chinese Ceramics. A New Standard Guide, London, 1996, pl. 521; another is published in John Ayers, Chinese Ceramics in the Baur Collection, Geneva, 1999, pl. 270; two others were sold in our London rooms, 26th April 1966, lots 163 and 164; and one in these rooms, 5th November 1996, lot 863. A Yongzheng prototype of this design, from the Herschel V. Johnson collection was sold in our London rooms, 21st February 1967, lot 61; and a Jiaqing example in these rooms, 22nd May 1985, lot 240.