A Large Gilt-Mounted Ge-Style Moonflask Clock, Chinese/French, Moonflask 18th Century; Dial, Movement and Mounts 19th Century

the flask later modified to contain a 7-inch thirteen-piece enamel cartouche dial bearing the signature Lefaucheur A Paris, bell striking movement with Brocot suspension, the gilt fruit ad flower surmount flanked by adorsed mermaids, the base with paw feet on a further moulded stand with ball feet

Moon flask has reduced neck and side handles removed, holes cut front and back to accept the clock movement, marks erased from base. Late 19th Century movement and dial in good clean condition. Mounts in generally good condition, top mount with repairs to shoulders. With pendulum and winder.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. All dimensions in catalogue descriptions are approximate. Condition reports may not specify mechanical replacements or imperfections to the movement, case, dial, pendulum, separate base(s) or dome. Watches in water-resistant cases have been opened to examine movements but no warranties are made that the watches are currently water-resistant. Please note that we do not guarantee the authenticity of any individual component parts, such as wheels, hands, crowns, crystals, screws, bracelets and leather bands, since subsequent repairs and restoration work may have resulted in the replacement of original parts. 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. In particular, please note it is the purchaser's responsibility to comply with any applicable import and export matters, particularly in relation to lots incorporating materials from endangered species.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."

**Please be advised that bands made of materials derived from endangered or otherwise protected species (i.e. alligator and crocodile) are not sold with the watches and are for display purposes only. We reserve the right to remove these bands prior to shipping.

Important Notice regarding importation into the United States of Rolex watches
Sotheby's cannot arrange for the delivery of Rolex watches to the United States because U.S. laws restricts the import of Rolex watches. The buyer or a designated agent may collect the property in the country of sale."

Early Qing dynasty (1644-1911) flasks of this shape are extremely rare and only a few comparable examples are known similarly covered in the attractive ge-type glaze. Under the reign of the Yongzheng emperor (r. 1723-1735) many glaze types found on Song dynasty (960-1279) stonewares, such as the official ‘Ru’, ‘guan’ and ‘ge’ wares, inspired greenish and greyish monochrome pieces with the decorative glaze crackle. ‘Ge’ is a connoisseurs term known only from post-Song texts and does not refer to a production area during Song times. It was used for ceramics similar to ‘guan’ but with a more opaque buff or greyish beige glaze and a distinct black and russet-red stained crackle.  However, it was undoubtedly considered one of the wu wei ci (five classic wares) of the Song dynasty made exclusively for imperial use and amongst the most beautiful pieces produced at the time.

While the glaze on this flask takes its inspiration from the past, the monumental size and subtle lobed form demonstrate the ambitious technical and artistic achievements of the Qing potter working in the Imperial kilns at Jingdezhen in Jiangxi province. This flask originally had a waisted neck with a lipped rim, the neck flanked by a pair of openwork handles resembling stylized dragons, and a splayed foot, the base inscribed with a six-character Yongzheng reign mark in underglaze-blue.

A Yongzheng mark and period flask of closely related form and glaze was sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 20^th May 1986, lot 86, and again, 8^th April 2011, lot 3017. See another flask of this shape covered with a smooth crackled glaze after ‘guan’ wares, from the collection of Sir Harry and Lady Garner and later in the collection of E.T. Hall, offered at Christie’s London, 7^th June 2004, lot 146. Another Yongzheng flask of this shape, decorated in underglaze-blue with birds perched on fruiting branches, was sold in our London rooms, 5^th July 1977, lot 232; and one, painted with an underglaze-blue composite floral scroll, was also sold in our London rooms, 27^th November 1973, lot 261.

Compare Yongzheng moonflasks of similar magnificent size and ge-type glaze but of varying form, such as an octagonal example, from the Qing Court collection and still in Beijing, illustrated in Qingdai yuyao ciqi, vol. 1, Beijing, 2005, pl. 172; and a circular moonflask moulded with a central ying yang symbol surrounded by the ba gua (Eight Trigrams), sold in our London rooms, 8^th November 2006, lot 173.