A RARE IRON-RED-GROUND 'KINRANDE' DOUBLE-GOURD VASE MING DYNASTY, JIAJING PERIOD |

of slender octagonal section, rising from a countersunk base to an elegantly clinched waist and tapering mouth, the lower bulb painted on each side with a quatrefoil cartouche enclosing gilt lotus sprays, framed within green-enameled and gilt borders and reserved on a Y-patterned diaper ground, all within rectangular green enameled borders with yellow scroll-bracketed corners, the shoulder similarly decorated with roundels inscribed with gilt characters against a diaper ground, and the upper lobe with vertical shaped cartouches enclosing floral sprays against a cash diaper ground, below keyfret and lotus borders in reserve and a gilt scroll at the mouth, with further reserve-decorated scrolls above the waist and foot, and a band of upright lappets encircling the foot, all reserved on a rich iron-red enameled ground, the base with a clear glaze, two Japanese wood boxes (5)

Collection of the Bernasconi Family.
Christie's London, 6th June 1988, lot 131.
Hirano Koto-ken, Tokyo, February 1989.

The neck (above the keyfret band) reconstructed. Overall with wear to the gilding and enamels, and scattered firing imperfections. The base with two old labels.
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.

Similar kinrande vases are known with slight variations in design and size. A very similar vase from the Ataka Collection was included in the Exhibition of Oriental Ceramics, Museum of Oriental Ceramics, Osaka, cat. no. 43, and another with different geometric designs is illustrated in Mayuyama, Seventy Years, Tokyo, 1976, pl. 884. Further examples include one formerly in the Norton Collection, sold in our London rooms, 26th March 1963, lot. 65; another from the collection of Louis van der Heyden was sold in our Tokyo rooms, 1st-3rd October 1969, lot 226; and a third example sold in these rooms, 18th September 2007, lot 245.