A Blue and White Pear-Shaped Vase Circa 1640-60

the pear-shaped body rising from a straight base to a tall waisted neck, painted to the exterior with scholars and attendants in a mountainous landscape with tiered pavilions, the neck with a pair of birds amongst blossoming prunus, all divided by incised chevron borders

A Hong Kong private collection.
Sotheby’s Hong Kong, 16^th November 1973, lot 175.

Chinese Blue and White Porcelain and Related Underglaze Red, City Museum and Art Gallery, Hong Kong, 1975, cat. no. 80.
Transitional Wares and Their Forerunners, Hong Kong Museum of Art, Hong Kong, 1981, cat. no. 67.
Chinese Ceramics of the Transitional Period (circa 1620-1680 A.D.) from the Collection of Mr & Mrs Peter Thompson, Hull University, Hull, 1985, cat. no. 89.

In very good condition. Some areas of discolouration to the glaze above to the incised band at shoulder; several minor firing imperfections, including pin pricks to glaze; two small glaze flakes to rim.
"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 represents the experimental nature of ceramics characteristic of the mid-17^th century following the late-Ming court suspending its commissions of porcelain production. The introduction of new patrons freed potters and painters to explore a wide range of styles beyond those previously prescribed by the court. The dramatically long waisted neck and proportionately small body of this vase, coupled with the two unrelated designs of birds amongst flowers and a landscape scene that are given equal importance reflect the atypical nature of porcelain of this period.A vase of related form but with a wider neck and slender body, similarly painted with a figural scene on the body and birds amidst flowers on the neck, was sold in these rooms, 9^th May 1989, lot 32. Vases with similarly swooping necks, but with a larger more globular body, are commonly known painted with stylised flower sprays on the neck and figural scenes on the body; for example see one illustrated in Topkapi Museum, Istanbul. Chinese China and the Kitchens by Photographs, Istanbul, 1973, pl. 18; one from the collection of W.W. Winkworth, 13^th February 1973, lot 79; and a third sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 23^rd May 1978, lot 73.