Boldly thrown in a grand tianqiuping form with its luscious peony design swirling around its voluptuous body, the present vase exudes an air of majesty and calm that typifies the Yongzheng period. Grand like the art of Yongzheng’s father before him and magnificent like that of his son’s reign to follow, the present vase epitomizes the extraordinary craftsmanship of the High Qing period. Yet, in its serenity, its bold use of negative space, and subdued composition of blooms against a white ground, the vase retains a sense of austerity, of care, and of meditation typical only of the Yongzheng reign and that quiet yet eventful day in the Summer Gardens.
This piece will be part of Sotheby’s New York Chinese Art Sale on 17 September 2025 at 9:00AM EST.
