A FINE BLUE AND WHITE 'DRAGON' BOTTLE VASE QING DYNASTY, QIANLONG PERIOD

the ovoid body resting on a slightly splayed foot and sweeping to a tall cylindrical neck, the exterior decorated in rich shades of deep cobalt blue with a pair of scaly five-clawed dragons in mutual pursuit of a 'flaming pearl', the mythical beasts rendered soaring sinuously with serpentine bodies amidst flames and ruyi-shaped clouds, the rim and foot bordered with a band of circular motifs

Sotheby's Hong Kong, 16th May 1989, lot 269.

The vase is in fine 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. 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."

This boldly painted blue and white vase belongs to a group of such vases produced during the Qianlong period, with elongated tall neck and pear-shaped body. Examples can be found in important museums and collections worldwide, and each vase within the group appears to be uniquely decorated; for example see one painted with figures in a landscape, from the Qing court collection and still in Beijing, illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum. Blue and White Porcelain with Underglaze Red (II), Hong Kong, pl. 119; another decorated with a composite floral motif sold in these rooms, 2nd May 1984; and a third example adorned with a flower scroll design in the Ming style, from the collection of Jolan Hennings, sold at Christie's New York, 9th November 1978, lot 97, and again in these rooms, 25th November 1981, lot 224.

The present vase is notable for its dynamic design of dragons. The effectiveness of the overall design of the present vase is also due to the brilliant deep blue cobalt, which reflects the high level of technical achievement attained by the craftsman. For a Qianlong reign-marked blue and white dragon vase of identical size but more compressed form, and painted with dragons amidst floral scrolls, see the example from the Evelyn Annenberg-Hall collection, sold at Christie’s New York, 29th March 2006, lot 169, and again in these rooms, 8th April 2011, lot 3106.