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A COPPER-RED 'DRAGON' TRILOBED VASE QING DYNASTY, QIANLONG PERIOD |
Estimate
50,000 - 70,000 HKD
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Description
- 30.2 cm, 11 7/8 in.
well-potted with a baluster body divided into three lobes, rising to a waisted neck and everted rim of conforming section, deftly painted in underglaze red with three five-clawed dragons, writhing among clouds above crashing waves, their eyes picked out in underglaze blue, the foot and rim encircled by a double-fillet in underglaze blue
Condition
There is a approx 1.2 cm hairline crack to the rim, otherwise the vase is in overall good 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."
"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."
Catalogue Note
Magnificent vases painted in copper red with dragons are extremely rare, as such vases are notoriously difficult to apply and fire with success. They bear testament to imperial patronage and technological advancement in porcelain production during the Qianlong period. Copper red required precise control of the firing temperature and the atmosphere inside the kiln. The resulting tone of the red was particularly important to the Qianlong Emperor, possibly due to the auspicious connotation of the colour. His demand for excellence is noted in a court record of 1738, where he rated the colour of a copper-red meiping with dragon design as not good enough (Feng Xianming, Annotated Collection of Historical Documents on Ancient Chinese Ceramics, Taipei, 2000, p. 232).
Vases of complicated shapes rendered in this palette as the present example are very rare. Compare a copper-red double-gourd vase, also decorated with dragons, sold in these rooms, 3rd April 2018, lot 3203.
Vases of complicated shapes rendered in this palette as the present example are very rare. Compare a copper-red double-gourd vase, also decorated with dragons, sold in these rooms, 3rd April 2018, lot 3203.