清雍正 茶葉末釉瑞獸式水滴

potted in the style of a Six Dynasties bronze, depicted standing foursquare on four short legs, its head raised upwards and detailed with a small protruding snout flanked by two apertures to its mouth, its neck detailed with subtly raised ribs leading up to its plump body decorated with raised curved lines and extending to a short wide tail, covered overall with a tea-dust glaze thinning at the extremities revealing its brown stoneware body, wood stand, Japanese double wood box

日本舊藏

The left hind foot and the toes of the right front foot (approx. 0.6 by 1.2 cm) have been restored with overpaint, possibly chipped and restuck with the original pieces. There is also a small area on the right front foot which has been retouched, probably to conceal a glaze flake of approx. 0.3 by 0.1 cm. The actual colour is slightly brighter than the catalogue illustration.
"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."

Another tea-dust waterdropper of this rare form, dated as Yongzheng, was sold in these rooms, 28th November 1979, lot 318.