A FINE AND RARE IRON-RED ‘PHOENIX’ WATERPOT YONGZHENG MARK AND PERIOD

of beehive form, the tall hemispherical sides rising to a short waisted neck, painted to the exterior with two archaistic phoenix between stylised keyfret bands, the base inscribed with a six-character mark within a double-circle

Sotheby’s London, 16th June 1998, lot 260 (part lot).

This is in good condition, but there are some areas of light scratching to the glaze and iron-red to the exterior. There is an area of misfiring to the underside of the base and some of the glaze has crazed to a golden-brown colour.
"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."

Waterpots of this form and decoration, bearing a Yongzheng reign mark on the base and of the period, are rare, although a similar example, from the collection of Edward T. Chow, was sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 25^th November 1980, lot 127; and a pair was sold in these rooms, 31^st October 1974, lot 291.

See a pair of Yongzheng dishes similarly enamelled with dragons in iron-red, included in the exhibition Splendour of the Qing Dynasty, Hong Kong Museum of Art, Hong Kong, 1992, cat. no. 168.