清雍正 闘彩五福捧壽花卉紋葫蘆瓶 《大清雍正年製》款

elegantly potted with a compressed globular gourd-shaped lower bulb subtly divided into lobes and surmounted by a smaller upper bulb tapering to a smaller mouthrim, the lobes of the lower body decorated with stylised aubergine-enamelled peony blooms alternating with iron-red peony blossoms, all between foliate scrollwork, the upper bulb decorated with a band of turbulent waves crashing against rockwork below four stylised shou characters, each skilfully framed by five bats with outstretched wings, the mouthrim encircled by bands of horse-hoof and ruyi motifs, all above a band enclosing sprigs of peaches bordering the foot, the base inscribed with a six-character underglaze-blue reign mark within a double-circle

The rim has been restored (looks like two breaks) 5cm at its widest point. There is also a 1.2cm diameter hole drilled through the centre of the base through the mark. There is also a 1.3cm crack running over through the footrim from the interior, which then branches into two to the exterior to 2.5cm to the right and 2.5cm to the left. (There is a small related chip/bruise to the central crack). Please note that there is also crack to the central section of this vase and an area of re-spraying around it.
"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."

This vase is unusual for its combination of two distinct motifs and only one other example appears to have been offered at auction, sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 31st October 1974, lot 259. The formal floral scrolls on the lobes of the bottom half of the vase may have been inspired by early-Ming doucai examples, such as a small lobed jarlet attributed to the 15th century,  from the Enid and Brodie Lodge collection, illustrated in William Bowyer Honey, The Ceramic Art of China and Other Countries of the Far East, London, 1944, pl. 87. The upper section of the vase is full of auspicious meaning, such as the shou characters and ruyi symbolising longevity, and the red bats hovering above waves illustrating the wish for ‘May your blessings be as deep as the Eastern Sea and as vast as the sky’.