清康熙 青花釉裏紅富貴如意紋將軍蓋罐

of large baluster form, the rounded shoulders narrowing to a short neck with an everted rim, well-painted in strong tones of underglaze cobalt-blue and vivid copper-red with two registers of large lappet panels, enclosing lush red peony blossoms against a blue ground of foliate scrolls, divided by strapwork and a dense border of peony on the shoulder and neck, the fitted and domed cover similarly decorated and with a gilt fu-dog finial, with giltwood stand and a gilt metal stand (4)

格林伍德收藏，德州奧斯汀

博沃德（Berwald）東方藝術公司，紐約

The cover has an area of roughness to the glaze on the rim caused by some fine kiln grit in the glaze. The vase has a 2 in. (5.1 cm) hair crack running down from the rim from a small repaired chip. Over paint from restoration extends from halfway around the rim edge presumably covering minor rim chips.
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.

Vases of this large size, with the addition of copper-red are very rare. The difficulty of successfully firing the underglaze blue and red proved very challenging and there are few examples of this palette during the Kangxi period and of those, no other of this massive size appears to be recorded. The term ‘soldier’ vase is derived from an unusual trade agreement between Frederick Augustus I (1670-1733), Elector of Saxony, King of Poland known as Augustus the Strong and Frederick Wilhelm I of Prussia. (1688-1740). Augustus was an avid collector of Chinese and Japanese porcelain amassing a vast collection that eventually comprised 24,000 items. The passion of Frederick William I for military exercises was nearly as great as Augustus the Strong’s appetite for porcelain.  Augustus’ military campaigns had not met with success and he no longer had need of a large army so, in 1717 he arranged a trade whereby Frederick William I of Prussia would receive 600 soldiers or dragoons in exchange for 151 pieces of Chinese porcelain of which 48 were noted for their great size. This extraordinary and well-documented event speaks volumes as to the value and desirability of Chinese porcelain.