A RU-TYPE NARCISSUS WASHER QIANLONG MARK AND PERIOD

of octagonal lobed form, the rounded sides rising to a flared rim, on three cabriole legs, covered in a thick finely crackled greenish-grey glaze

The washer is in very good condition with the exception of some very minor firing imperfections including pinhead-sized burst glaze bubbles, iron spots. The glaze has a light and even matrix of crackles.
"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."

The elegant form of the present piece is accentuated by the smooth, subtle glaze in imitation of the highly celebrated 'Ru' ware of the Song dynasty (906-1279). Due to the Yongzheng and Qianlong emperors' keen interest in antiquity, Song glazes and forms were often copied. The simplicity of form and absence of decoration as seen on this censer were stylistic trends introduced by Tang Ying (1682-1756), Superintendent of the Imperial Kilns in Jingdezhen during the Yongzheng and Qianlong reigns, to adhere to their tastes. A closely related example was sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 22^nd May 1985, lot 222.

Qianlong censers of this form but of slightly larger dimensions are more commonly found with 'Ge' and 'Guan'-type glazes; see a 'Ge' type example formerly from the J.M. Hu family collection and Robert Chang collection sold in our New York rooms, 4^th June 1985, lot 65, and again, Christie's Hong Kong, 2^nd November 1999, lot 517; a 'Guan' type censer sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 28^th April 1998, lot 768; and a smaller example covered in a 'Ru' celadon glaze illustrated in The Official Kiln Porcelain of the Chinese Qing Dynasty, Shanghai, 2003, p. 334. A 'Guan'-type censer of this form and size, with a Yongzheng reign mark and of the period, formerly in the Carl Kempe collection, is published in Oriental Ceramics. The World's Great Collections, vol. 9, Tokyo, 1982, pl. 274; and another covered in a clair-de-lune glaze, in the Palace Museum, Beijing, is included in Qingdai yuyao ciqi, vol. 1, pt. II, Beijing, 2005, pl. 205.

For a Song prototype of this form, compare a brushwasher of the same flower shape but lacking the tripod feet, published in the Illustrated Catalogue of Sung Dynasty Porcelain in the National Palace Museum. Southern Sung Kuan Ware, Taipei, 1974, pl. 54.