A RARE QINGBAI 'PHOENIX' EWER AND COVER YUAN DYNASTY

the pear-shaped body rising from a short spreading foot to a flaring neck with rolled rim, set to one side with a dragon loop handle and to the other with a delicately curved spout issuing from the mouth of a dragon and supported by an S-shaped strut, slip decorated around the body with bands of lotus lappets, phoenix in flight, flowers and chevrons and covered overall in a pale soft greyish-blue glaze, the domed cover surmounted by seated lion

The ewer and cover have been broken and restored, with overpainting around the spout, handle, neck, body, foot and cover. Minor glaze firing imperfections include frits and iron spots.
"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."

Qingbai ewers of this type, applied on the body with a flying phoenix, reflect the quest for richer ornamentation in the second half of the Yuan dynasty. A similar ewer and cover, from the Art Institute, Chicago, is illustrated in Margaret Medley, Yuan Porcelain and Stoneware, London, 1974, pl. 10; another is published in Sekai toji zenshu/ Ceramic Art of the World, vol. 13, Tokyo, 1981, pl. 42; and a larger ewer, from the Mr and Mrs Otto Doering and the Meiyintang collections, illustrated in Regina Krahl, Chinese Ceramics from the Meiyintang Collection, vol. 4, London, 2010, pl. 1610, was sold at Christie’s New York, 9th November 1978, lot 125, and again our Hong Kong rooms, 7th April 2011, lot 39.