A RARE AND UNUSUAL UNDERGLAZE-BLUE AND COPPER-RED 'SQUIRREL AND GRAPEVINE' VASE QING DYNASTY, KANGXI PERIOD

of attenuated baluster form, finely painted with two leafy grapevines with spreading branches laden with ripe fruit highlighted in copper red, lively squirrels clinging to the branches amid the curling tendrils, all beneath two leafy and fruit-laden vine sections encircling the neck, apocryphal six-character Chenghua mark in underglaze blue

Sotheby's New York, 7th May 1981, lot 225.
Christie's London, 7th March 1984, lot 135.
Berwald Oriental Art, New York, 17th December 2007.

A section of the neck and body has been restored, approx. 6 in. by 5 in. (15.2 cm by 12.6 cm), with associated long cracks that have been repainted. The base has been drilled, filled and repainted.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Grapes in Chinese are called putao, the syllable tao, being a homophone for the word 'peach' which is a symbol of longevity.  Squirrels are called songshu, the syllable song being the name for 'pine', which also represents longevity.  In addition, the spreading vines with numerous fruit and seeds of the grape, also represent the flourishing and continuation of the family line.  The finely painted motif on this vase therefore carries that hope that one will have a long life and that the family line will flourish and grow with lots of progeny.