A RARE TURQUOISE-GLAZED ARCHAISTIC VASE, GU QING DYNASTY, QIANLONG PERIOD

modelled after the archaic bronze vessel, the waisted cylindrical body rising from a splayed foot to a tall trumpet neck, the bulging central section crisply moulded and carved with angular scrolls formed of kui dragons confronting on crenulated flanges, bordered with small petal panels between borders of key-fret, the flanges extending onto the foot interrupting a band of pendent combed leaves, and onto the rim dividing large plantains, applied overall with a brilliant turquoise-blue glaze thinning to white on the reliefs, the base glazed save for the footring reserved in white

Collection of Jacksonville Art Museum, Jacksonville, Florida.
Sotheby’s New York, 1^st/2^nd June 1993, lot 320A.
Sotheby’s Hong Kong, 2^nd May 1995, lot 108.
Christie’s Hong Kong, 26^th April 2004, lot 1075.

The vase has light retouching to the glaze around the luting line. There is some bubbling and firing imperfections around the footring.
"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 is notable for the crisply moulded decoration which has been accentuated with carved details and the vibrant translucency of the turquoise glaze. A vase of this type, but the central bulb incised with a floral scroll and the body lacking the moulded flanges, was sold in our London rooms, 6^th April 1976 lot 188. A slightly larger gu vase, with a Qianlong reign mark and of the period, but of more slender form and with incised decoration only, in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, is published in Suzanne G Valenstein, A Handbook of Chinese Ceramics (2^nd ed.), New York, 1989, pl. 267.