A 'QIANJIANG' SCHOOL ENAMELED 'CONG' VASE BY CHENG MEN LATE QING DYNASTY

one side painted with a landscape, a dedication to Beiren xiong (brother beiren), the opposing side with a kingfisher and lotus, the remaining two sides each with an elephant-head handle above a poetic verse, each side signed either Xueli Cheng Men or Cheng Men, an impressed seal in iron red reading guanyao neizao

There is a firing crack in one handle ring, and two glaze gaps surrounding that handle. There is wear to the gilding on the handles, flaking to the green enamels on a lotus leaf and scattered burst bubbles and iron spots in the glaze. Apart from expected surface wear, the vase is in good overall condition.
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.

Cheng Men was a porcelain artist active during the Late Qing dynasty who passed away prior to 1908. He painted in the Qianjiang style, which is characterized by its use of a restrained palette in pale washes, giving the porcelains painted in this style the look of watercolors.  This style is said to be based on literati painting, and was popular during the Late Qing and early Republican periods.