A BLUE AND WHITE 'IMMORTALS' HANDLED VASE, FANGHU QING DYNASTY, 18TH CENTURY

of rectangular section, one side of the pear-shaped body painted with the bare-chested and disfigured immortal Zhong Kui carrying his sister across a river, beneath a deity in loose-fitted robes riding on scrolling clouds, the opposite side decorated with a female immortal Lan Caihe, standing on a gnarled tree trunk suspending a basket of lingzhi fungus floating on a river, the narrow sides adorned with a sprig of prunus and a pair of cranes standing beside a pine tree, below a pair of lug handles detailed with bamboo, all supported on a flared foot encircled on the other side by upright petal lappets issuing from a formal diaper border, wood stand

Christie's Hong Kong, 19th May 1986, lot 224.
Christie's Hong Kong, 30th October 1995, lot 664.

The mouthrim has some fritting, and a 1.2 cm flake-like chip which has been slightly polished down. One handle has a minor firing crack to the top. Apart from a couple of burst air bubbles, some typical surface wear and scratches, 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."