A FINE BLUE AND WHITE 'LANÇA CHARACTERS' STEM BOWL QIANLONG SEAL MARK AND PERIOD |

supported on a splayed hollow stem foot angled to the cup with steep sides rising from a flat base to a flared mouthrim, the exterior painted in bright cobalt tones with eight lança characters surrounded by an undulating stem of lotus issuing large flower-heads and curled acanthus leaves, the underside with petal lappets above bands of halved florets divided by a raised rib picked out with arrowheads, the stem skirted by ruyi-heads suspending interlinked tassels, the interior with a stylized peony medallion within a double-line border repeated at the rim, the interior of the foot with a six-character seal mark in a horizontal line in underglaze blue 

In overall good condition, except for a minute shallow flake to the foot ring, measuring approx. 0.2 cm wide. Some very minor firing imperfections.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Finely potted and elegantly decorated, this stem bowl embodies two major interests of the Qianlong emperor (r. 1736-1795): his love of antiquity and his devotion to Tibetan Buddhism. The emperor’s patronage of Buddhism directed the production of many sophisticated artifacts referencing various sacred ritual objects. The present vessel appears to have been inspired by the metal butter lamp, a popular ritual item of Tibetan Buddhism symbolizing the wisdom of the awakened mind. Although blue and white stem bowls of this type were produced in porcelain from as early as the 15th century, this well-potted bowl, featuring steeper sides and a more prominent splayed foot, demonstrates the ability of craftsmen working at the imperial kilns to create a modern representation of a classic form.  

A closely related stem bowl, in the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco, San Francisco, is illustrated in He Li, Chinese Ceramics. The New Standard Guide, London, 1996, pl. 595; another in the Roemer-Museum, Hildesheim, is published in Chinesisches Porzellan, Mainz am Rhein, 1981, pl. 59; and two were sold in our London rooms, 17th January 1999, lot 785, and the other, 20th June 2001, lot 122.

For a smaller version of this vessel, see one in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, published in Illustrated Catalogue of Ch’ing Dynasty Porcelain in the National Palace Museum. Republic of China. Ch’ien-lung Ware and Other Wares, vol. 2, Tokyo, 1981, pl. 13; and another sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 20th May 1981, lot 746, and again, 8th October 2013, lot 3024.