清雍正 紅釉玉壺春瓶 《大清雍正年製》款

elegantly potted with a pear-shaped body sweeping up to a waisted neck and a broad everted rim, supported on a short slightly splayed foot, richly applied to the exterior starting right below the rim with a mottled raspberry-red ‘peachbloom-type' glaze thinning to a light mushroom tone at the foot, the reserved base left white and inscribed with a six-character reign mark within a double-circle

The mouth has a filled hairline of approx. 6 cm, but it is otherwise in overall good condition with some light expected surface wear.
"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."

Copper-red vases of this type are held in important museums and private collections worldwide, but it is extremely rare to find an example with a 'peachbloom-type' glaze. See one in the Tokyo National Museum, Tokyo, illustrated in the Illustrated Catalogue of Tokyo National Museum, Tokyo, 1990, vol. 2, pl. 660; another sold at Christie’s London, 9th June 1997, lot 142; a slightly smaller vase in the Palace Museum, Beijing, illustrated in Kangxi, Yongzheng, Qianlong. Qing Porcelain in the Palace Museum Collection, Hong Kong, 1989, p. 287, pl. 116; and another in the Capital Museum, Beijing, illustrated Chugoku kogei bijutsu sosho: Chugoku toji hen, vol. 1: Keitokuchin jiki [Chinese arts and crafts series. Chinese ceramics, vol. 1, Jingdezhen porcelain], Kyoto, 1982, p. 82. Further vases of this type, but of slightly smaller size, include one in the Jingdezhen Ceramic Museum, Jingdezhen, illustrated in Chugoku kogei bijutsu sosho: Chugoku toji hen, vol. 1: Keitokuchin jiki [Chinese arts and crafts series. Chinese ceramics, vol. 1, Jingdezhen porcelain], Kyoto, 1982, p. 82; another published in The Tsui Museum of Art. Chinese Ceramics IV. Qing Dynasty, Hong Kong, 1995, pl. 24; and a third sold in these rooms, 11th June 1996, lot 82.

The use of copper-red glaze at Jingdezhen was revived by the Kangxi Emperor after a decline in it usage during the late 15th century. With the wish to reproduce classic Ming sacrificial red (jihong) porcelains, Qing copper-red pieces quickly outnumbered their Ming counterparts. Nigel Wood in Chinese Glazes, London, 1999, p. 180, notes how the French Jesuit missionary, Père François d’Entrecolles (b. 1664-1741) wrote letters giving detailed accounts of the copper-red production at Jingdezhen, the sourcing of the copper for the glaze, the recipes and the kiln location of the firing of these wares. D’Entrecolles was aware of the difficulties involved in the making of copper-red wares and his account confirms the high level of technical knowledge acquired by the potters at Jingdezhen.