A FINE AND EXTREMELY RARE HANDLED TEADUST-GLAZED VASE SEAL MARK AND PERIOD OF QIANLONG |

superbly potted with a compressed pear-shaped body rising from a splayed foot to a tall waisted neck, the neck flanked by a pair of handles suspending mock tassels, evenly covered overall save for the footring with a rich golden olive-green glaze finely speckled with yellow and brown, the glaze thinning to a deep mushroom tone at the rim and raised edges, the base with a six-character seal mark, wood stand

A Japanese private collection, acquired in China in the 1920s, thence by descent, by repute.
Christie's Hong Kong, 30th May 2005, lot 1490.

The vase is in excellent 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."

Teadust-glazed vases of this elegant form and with tassel handles are rare. Only one comparable handled vase, also with an attractive glaze and an incised Qianlong seal mark, appears to be known, sold in our London rooms, 17th November 1999, lot 775. Handled teadust vases are more commonly known modelled with broader necks in the shape of archaic bronze hu, such as a Qianlong mark and period vase in the Baur collection, illustrated in John Ayers, The Baur Collection, Geneva. Chinese Ceramics, vol. 2, Geneva, 1999, pl. 296; and two sold in these rooms, the first 8th October 2010, lot 2633, and the second, 4th April 2012, lot 3102. Compare also a Qianlong vase of similar globular form, but decorated in gilt over a blue ground, from the Qing court collection and still in Beijing, illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum. Monochrome Porcelain, Hong Kong, 1999, pl. 94.

This vase is especially attractive for its lustrous and deep teadust glaze. This type of glaze was an eighteenth century innovation, probably introduced in the last years of the Yongzheng Emperor’s reign (1723-1735), and was made with the precipitation of yellow crystal that stands out against a dark green background producing what is known as chayemo or ‘tea-leaf dust’ glaze effect. Perfectly fired vessels in this glaze such as this vase have many small stipples that make the glaze appear particularly rich and velvety to the touch.