A RARE ORMOLU-MOUNTED 'GUAN'-TYPE VASE, FANGHU SEAL MARK AND PERIOD OF JIAQING

of archaistic fanghu form, set with rectangular tubular handles on the tapering neck and moulded with a raised peach-shaped panel on both faces, covered overall in a pale bluish-grey glaze suffused with a tight matrix of gold and silver coloured crazing, the base inscribed in underglaze blue with a six-character seal mark, mounted around the base with a gilt-bronze pedestal of chamfered rectangular form and a pierced ledge around the rim of corresponding shape supporting pairs of bronze serpent handles spiraling through sides of the vase through handles dressed with foliate elements, the 19th century French mounts elaborately cast and gilded

Christie’s London, 13th November 2001, lot 140.
Sotheby’s Hong Kong, 2nd May 2005, lot 515.

The structure of the vase has been preserved well, but due to the mounting, the vase has been cast and pierced with screws at its footrim. The square handles have been pierced to accommodate the snakes, and show signs of extensive restoration, with repainting.
"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."

In form and glaze, this piece is inspired by vases produced in the Song period at the Ge and Guan kilns. Its refined form accentuates the swelling curves and crackled glaze, the popularity of which is evident in its production throughout the Qing dynasty in a variety of glazes. A Qianlong mark and period vase of this type, also covered in a 'Guan'-type glaze, was sold in our New York rooms, 24th June 1982, lot 345; a Daoguang version was included in the exhibition Imperial Porcelain of Late Qing, Art Gallery, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 1983, cat. no. 80; and a Guangxu vase was sold in these rooms, 3rd/4th May 1994, lot 116, and again in our New York rooms, from the collection of William and Jennifer Shaw, 11th September 2012, lot 55.

For the prototype, see a Guan vase from the Song dynasty, also with a raised peach-shape panel, published in the Illustrated Catalogue of Sung Dynasty Porcelain in the National Palace Museum. Southern Sung Kuan Ware, Tokyo, 1974, pl. 13.