A RARE 'FAMILLE-ROSE' LANTERN VASE SEAL MARK AND PERIOD OF QIANLONG

of finely potted cylindrical form, rising to a waisted neck with a flared mouth, finely and freely painted in particularly vivid enamels with four formal lotus blooms, each either with a bat hovering above a xi character or with a bat below a gilt wan symbol, all amid further lotus blooms and buds borne on dense meandering leafy stems, set between ruyi heads enclosing florets below the rim and upright lappets at the base, with a keyfret around the foot, inscribed to the base with the six-character seal-mark in underglaze-blue

A Private Japanese Collection.

The vase has a faint 10cm hairline crack extending vertically from the shoulder. However, apart from the crack, the vase is in very good condition overall, with virtually no expected losses to the enamel. There is one tiny loss to the enamel, to a stem on the lower half of the vase, of approx 0.1 by 0.1cm.
"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."

It is rare to find a Qianlong vase of this shape and delicate design in the 'famille-rose' palette.  No other closely related vase appears to be recorded. 

Compare a vase of similar design but of bottle shape, sold in these rooms, 27th April 2003, lot 36.  Certain elements of the decoration are related to that found on a Qianlong mark and period vase, illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum.  Porcelains with Cloisonne Enamel Decoration and Famille Rose Decoration, Hong Kong, 1999, pl. 95.