A LARGE IMPERIAL BRONZE ALTAR VASE QIANLONG MARK AND PERIOD

boldly cast, the pear-shaped body rising from a raised foot to a waisted neck, applied with two dragon scroll handles suspending loose rings, the body in high relief with a design of angular geometric archaistic dragon scrolls, below a band of ruyi and above a band of pendant blades, with a band of keyfret at the foot framing a panel enclosing the reign mark

An Italian Private Collection.

This vase is in good condition, but does have a very small dent to the rim. There are various nicks to the inside neck which most likely relate to the manufacture of the vase. There are also various nicks and scratches to the rim, the body, the handles and the foot consistent with its age. There is one small area of pale blue encrustation to one scroll on the body behind one handle.
"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 impressive vase is striking for its geometric design of chilong, and only a pair of closely related examples appears to have been published, offered at Christie’s New York, 17th September 2008, lot 601. Vases of this type would have comprised part of a five-piece altar garniture made for specific temples in the Imperial Palace and generally commissioned as tribute to the Emperor. Their imposing size would have created a dramatic scene during ritual ceremonies, thus emphasising the importance and solemnity of such events. A set of altar garnitures, including two vases of this form cast with dragons, was sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 11th April 2008, lot 2826; and an undecorated set of similar large size, in the Xianruo Temple, located in the garden of Cining Gong (Palace of Compassion and Tranquility), within the Forbidden City, where the Empress and consorts conducted Buddhist religious ceremonies, is illustrated in situ in Qingdai gongting shenghuo [Life in the Forbidden City], Hong Kong, 1985, pl. 467.

Bronze altar vases of this form, with Qianlong marks and of the period, are more commonly known decorated with scaly dragons amongst clouds; such as a vase offered in this sale, lot 142; another sold at Christie’s London, 22nd July 1981, lot 110; and a third, of smaller size and missing one handle, sold in our London rooms, 11th May 2011, lot 254. See also a pair of vases cast with phoenixes, from the Alfred Morrison collection, sold at Christie’s London, 9th November 2004, lot 17; and another pair of square-section shape, sold three times in our Hong Kong rooms, 29th/30th April 1997, lot 730, 10th April 2006, lot 1537, and again, 9th October 2007, lot 1322.