A LARGE FAMILLE-VERTE 'PHOENIX-TAIL' VASE QING DYNASTY, 18TH / 19TH CENTURY

the baluster-form body rising to a wide trumpet-form mouth with everted rim, painted with a continuous scene depicting the immortal Xiwangmu, with female attendants, one bearing a large peach and King Mu of the Zhou standing by a garden wall, serenaded by female musicians as handmaidens approach bearing gifts, the King gazing towards the goddess hoping to receive the peach of immortality but destined to return to the mortal realm, all set within the lush and luxurious paradisiacal home of the deity, Mount Kunlun, the base with a Chenghua cyclical date within a double circle

Christie's London, 23rd April 1990, lot 228.
Collection of David A. Berg, New York.
Christie's New York, 23rd January 2001, lot 28.
Ralph M. Chait Galleries, Inc., New York, 29th October 2005

The entire mouth has been repaired and overpainted, and some of the overpaint has discolored. There are seven hairline cracks through the foot and chips to the bottom of the foot. The glaze on the base has pin-prick size burst bubbles, some gray speckling and a small patch of stained crackle. There is a small firing flaw to the base.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.