A MAGNIFICENT BLUE AND WHITE 'PEONY' JAR, GUAN YUAN DYNASTY, MID 14TH CENTURY

superbly potted, the broad-shouldered tapering body rising from a recessed base to a broad short neck with rolled rim, boldly painted in vivid cobalt-blue tones with a broad band of scrolling peony and lotus, each bloom finely articulated with petals and leaves lightly incised to allow for subtle veining and borne on a continuous undulating leafy stem with attendant offshoot buds, all above narrow classic scroll and lotus-lappet bands, the shoulder encircled by a leafy lotus meander below a vigorously painted band of tumbling waves at the neck, the different registers of the decoration separated by double-line borders, the cobalt-blue of intensely vibrant purple-blue tone with pronounced 'heaping and piling' accentuating the painterly brushstrokes against the faintly bluish white glaze, the base left unglazed to reveal the fine porcellanous body with remnant traces of glaze caught against the knife-cut grooves of the foot and the slightly countersunk center

This magnificent jar is in very good overall condition with the exception of a 38cm. stained glaze line partially encircling the luting line at the waist, two similar lines (30 and 9cm., wide) around the top of the foot, a light polish to the rim, firing lines encircling the luting line at the waist in the interior and at the join of the body to the foot, a slight possibly polished depression on the edge of the footring (circa 2cm., wide), minor rim fritting, and glaze scratches. It should be noted that the cobalt-blue is of a slightly more vibrant tone than the catalogue illustration would suggest.
"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."