A CELADON-GLAZED CARVED AND MOULDED TAZZA SEAL MARK AND PERIOD OF QIANLONG

with shallow rounded sides raised on a splayed stem, finely carved and moulded on the biscuit under the glaze, the interior with a large rosace medallion centred with an eight-petalled flower head surrounded by four further blossoms alternating with ruyi heads, all wreathed in feathery foliage forming interlaced scrollwork, the underside similarly decorated with undulous striated petals issuing from a collar of alternating trefoils and whorls, above interlaced feathery scrolls draping the stem, covered overall with a pale translucent sea-green glaze thinning to white on the reliefs and toward the rim, the interior of the stem reserved in white and inscribed with a six-character seal mark written in a horizontal line

There is a horizontal hairline to the glaze on the rim of approx. 0.7 cm with minor losses and an associated shallow bruise to the glaze on the exterior. The rim also has a 0.3 cm refilled nick, but otherwise the tazza is in overall good condition. The actual colour is slightly brighter than 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."

The present piece is notable for the elegant design of stylised foliage and flower sprays which perfectly complements the form and hue of the celadon glaze. A closely related tazza, from the collection of Mrs. Frances Collins, was sold in our New York rooms, 23^rd October 1976, lot 270; another was sold in our London rooms, 24^th July 1973, lot 413; and a third example was sold twice at Christie’s Hong Kong, 8^th October 1990, lot 470, and 27^th May 2009, lot 1891. Compare also a Qianlong tazza of this form, but without the moulded decoration, sold in these rooms, 9^th October 2012, lot 3045.