A rare flambé-glazed 'three rams' vase Qianlong seal mark and period

finely potted, the globular body rising from a rounded spreading foot, encircled by two double-raised fillets around the body and applied with three ram heads at the shoulder, covered overall with a rich purple-blue streaky glaze thinning to a buff tone around the rams heads, the base incised with a six-character seal mark, neck reduced

This vase has been cut down and there is also an 8cm semi-circular area of repair to the foot. There are scratches to the glaze.
"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."

Vases of this form and design appear to have been introduced in the Yongzheng period; see a line drawing of this form included among Yongzheng shapes in Geng Baochang, Ming Qing ciqi jianding, Hong Kong, 1993, p. 235, fig. 401:13, where it is called sanxicun('vase of three beasts of uniform colour'), referring to the kind of animals used in ritual offerings.

For a Qianlong vase with a Ru-type glaze in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, see the Museum's exhibition Qingdai danseyou ciqi /Special Exhibition of Ch'ing Dynasty Monochrome Porcelains in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, 1989, cat. no. 88, and for another sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 5^th October 2011, lot 1934. Another Qianlong vase with a Guan-type glaze, in the Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore, is published in S.W. Bushell, Oriental Ceramic Art, London, 1981 (1896), col. pl. LXXVII. For a teadust glazed 'three ram' vase of Qianlong mark and period see one from the collections of T.Y. Chao and Ira and Nancy Koger, sold three times in these rooms, 1979, 1986 and 1992, and once in our New York rooms, 1990, illustrated in Sotheby's. Thirty Years in Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 2003, pl. 157; and a rare celadon-glazed version sold twice in these rooms 8^th October 2006, lot 1014, and again, 8^th October 2009, lot 1632.