A PEACHBLOOM-GLAZED BEEHIVE WATERPOT, TAIBO ZUN MARK AND PERIOD OF KANGXI

the rounded sides contracting to a narrow waisted neck below a short lipped mouthrim, incised around the exterior with three medallions formed of the curled bodies of archaistic kui dragons, all beneath a rich crimson-red glaze characteristically mottled with shades of brighter pink and dots of emerald green imitating the skin of a ripening peach, the recessed base and interior left white, the base inscribed in underglaze blue with a six-character reign mark in three columns

Bluett & Sons Ltd, London, 1964.
Collection of Roger Pilkington (1928-69), from 1964 (£435).

There is a 9 cm 'C'-shaped crack to the base to the left of the reign mark, which further extends 2 cm from the footring to the lower body. A small area of the mouthrim appears to have been overpainted and restored but mainly on the white lip. There is also a 'Y'-shaped crack from the mouthrim extending to the shoulder, measuring 2.5 cm altogether.
"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."

Waterpots of this attractive glaze are found in important museums and private collections worldwide; see one in the Palace Museum, Beijing, illustrated in Kangxi, Yongzheng, Qianlong. Qing Porcelain from the Palace Museum Collection, Hong Kong, 1989, p. 142, pl. 125; another in the Shanghai Museum, Shanghai, published in Kangxi Porcelain Wares from the Shanghai Museum Collection, Hong Kong, 1998, pl. 206; a third from the Sir Percival David collection and now in the British Museum, London, published in Illustrated Catalogue of Ming and Qing Monochrome Wares, London, 1989, pl. 580; and a further waterpot sold twice in these rooms, 4th May 1994, lot 86, and 8th April 2014, lot 3077.