A Fine and Rare Carved Celadon Waterpot Mark and Period of Kangxi

well potted in a horse-hoof shape, with steep sides rising up to an incurved mouth with a lipless rim, the exterior meticulously carved under the very pale green glaze to depict freely floating cloud swirls of ruyi form, covered overall in a lustrous celadon glaze, save for the recessed white-glazed base inscribed with a six-character reign mark in two horizontal lines

Sotheby's Hong Kong, 17th November 1975, lot 135.

The waterpot is of very good condition with a few typical pinholes to the bottom, as well as a very minute and shallow kiln flake to the foot ring, of 0.2 x 0.1 cm.
"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 type are held in important private and museum collections worldwide, including in the Palace Museum, Beijing, see Kangxi, Yongzheng, Qianlong. Qing Porcelain from the Palace Museum Collection, Hong Kong, 1989, p. 147, pl. 130; another in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, published in the Illustrated Catalogue of Ch'ing Dynasty Porcelain in the National Palace Museum. K'ang-hsi Ware and Yung-cheng Ware, Tokyo, 1980, pl. 58; one in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, is illustrated in W.B. Honey, Later Chinese Porcelain, London, 1927, pl. 7a, from the Gulland Bequest; and a fourth example from the Sir Percival David collection, now in the British Museum, London, is published in Margaret Medley, Illustrated Catalogue of Ming and Qing Monochrome Wares in the Percival David Foundation of Chinese Art, London 1989, pl. 583.

See also two closely related waterpots sold in these rooms, one on 15th April 2006, lot 1607, and the other, 2nd May 2000, lot 609; and a third example sold in our London rooms, 17th November 1999, lot 722. This elegant design of billowing clouds was adapted for the doucai palette under the Yongzheng Emperor; for example see a pair of waterpots illustrated in The Tsui Museum of Art, Hong Kong, 1991, pl. 112.