A FINE AND OUTSTANDING PAIR OF CELADON-GLAZED RECTANGULAR JARDINIERES SEAL MARKS AND PERIOD OF QIANLONG

each robustly potted of rectangular form with four bombé sides rising to a wide flared mouth with an everted rim, all supported on four stylised ruyi-cloud bracketed feet connected by an apron, the corners each set with three thinly moulded interlinked ruyi heads, the base pierced with two small apertures for water drainage, covered overall save for the footring by an even and flawless caesious-coloured glaze thinning at the fillet on the shoulders and on the corners revealing the white body beneath, the unglazed foot and apron dressed in a brown wash imitating the purplish body of Song dynasty guan ware, the base inscribed in underglaze blue with a six-character reign mark, stand

Acquired in Shanghai in the 1930s and 1940s.

Zandelou Qingdai guanyao danseyou ciqi/Qing Imperial Monochromes. The Zandelou Collection, Shanghai Museum, Beijing Museum and Art Museum, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2005, cat. no. 37.

Helen D. Ling and E.T. Chow, Collection of Chinese Ceramics from the Pavilion of Ephemeral Attainment, vol. IV, Hong Kong, 1950, pl. 176.

One of the jardinieres has a few light patches of very light glaze wear to the body and mouthrim. There is a minute glaze gap on the corner of one and a 2mm flake to the footrim. The overall condition is very good. The colours are evenly matched to each other. Only one piece has a stand. The actual colours are quite close to the catalogue illustration.
"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."

Jardinieres of precisely angled, rectangular form are extremely rare as they are very difficult to produce. A Yongzheng example of different profile, with simpler flared sides, and with a stronger celadon glaze, was included in the exhibition Imperial Perfection. The Palace Porcelain of Three Chinese Emperors: Kangxi – Yongzheng – Qianlong. A Selection from the Wang Xing Lou Collection, The Minneapolis Institute of Arts, Minneapolis, 2004, cat. no. 67; another was sold at Christie’s New York, 16^th September 2011, lot 1575.