A FLAMBÉ-GLAZED VASE, FANGHU INCISED SEAL MARK AND PERIOD OF QIANLONG

of archaistic fanghu form, robustly potted with a pear-shaped body sweeping up to a quatrefoil mouth, the neck flanked by a pair of angular lug handles, the two main sides moulded with a raised peach-shaped panel, covered overall with an unctuous crushed-raspberry glaze with streaked shades of lavender, the base with a pale brown wash covering an incised six-character seal mark, wood stand

Christie's Hong Kong, 27th May 2009, lot 1896.

In overall good condition with only some pitting to the thick crackled glaze and minor surface scratches. The base has two body lines beneath the glaze and the unglazed foot has a couple curved shallow firing cracks, with the longest one covering an area of approx. 5.3 cm. The interior base has an area of glaze flakes.
"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."

A flambe-glazed hu of the same form, also with a Qianlong seal mark and of the period, in the Capital Museum, Beijing, is illustrated in Beauty of Ceramics. Gems of the Official Kilns, Taipei, 1993, pl. 146; another in The Tsui Museum of Art. Chinese Ceramics IV: Qing Dynasty, Hong Kong, 1995, pl. 47; and a third in J.J. Marquet de Vasselot and M.J. Ballot, The Louvre Museum: Chinese Ceramics, Paris, 1922, pl. 35 top.

See also a similar vase from the collection of Sakamoto Gorō, recently sold in these rooms, 8th October 2014, lot 3509.