A Fine Teadust Bottle Vase Incised Seal Mark and Period of Qianlong

of compressed globular form resting on a slightly splayed foot, sweeping up to a slender neck and everted rim, covered overall with an olive-coloured glaze speckled with a fine gold mist, the base inscribed with a six-character seal mark incised and gilt within a brown-glazed panel, wood stand

Sotheby's Hong Kong, 22nd May 1985, lot 209.

The vase is in overall good condition. The gold speckles and gilding on the incised mark is well preserved and visible. The actual colour is paler compared to 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."

Tea-dust vases of this small size are rare. The present example is also noteworthy for the remaining traces of original gilding on the mark. Compare larger examples of this form, such as one in the Baur collection, illustrated in John Ayers, Chinese Ceramics in the Baur Collection, vol. 2, Geneva, 1999, pl. 297; another sold in our New York rooms, 4th June 1982, lot 226; and a third example from the Rolf Heiniger collection, sold at Christie’s New York, 20th September 2002, lot 370. 

Tea-dust glaze was an 18th century innovation made with the precipitation of yellow crystal that stands out against a dark green background producing what is known in Japanese as chayemo or ‘tea-leaf dust’ glaze effect. Successfully fired vessels in this glaze, such as this vase, have many small stipples that make the glaze appear especially rich and velvety to the touch.