A ROBINS-EGG GLAZED CENSER IMPRESSED SEAL MARK AND PERIOD OF YONGZHENG

the compressed globular body rising from a short flared foot to a broad everted mouth rim, set to the side with a pair of simple loop handles and covered overall with a turquoise and rich raspberry-red streaked glaze, the base with an impressed six-character seal mark

There is some glaze pulling at the joints between the handles and the body. Apart from the pooling of glaze on the exterior and a few flakes at the foot, the glaze is brilliantly applied and the overall condition is quite good.
"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."

Vessels covered in this flamboyant and imaginative 'Robin's egg' glaze first appeared during the Yongzheng period and continued being made into the 19^th century. Amongst the early vessels, only the finest examples bear a Yongzheng reign mark and the present censer is a particularly select piece within this small group of wares for its well fired rich glaze and elegant curved form. According to Regina Krahl, 'Robin's egg' glaze is seen as a free interpretation of Song dynasty 'Jun' glazes, being called lu Jun (furnace Jun) in Chinese, because it was fired in a furnace of a lower temperature after the firing of the porcelain. (See Regina Krahl, Chinese Ceramics from the Meiyintang Collection, vol. Two, London, 1994, p. 252)

For a censer of this glaze, form and size see one from the collection of Edward T. Chow, sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 19^th May 1981, lot 502; and a smaller related example sold in these rooms, 25^th November 1978, lot 155. Another Yongzheng 'Robin's egg' censer of this type was included in the Min Chiu Society exhibition Monochrome Ceramics of Ming and Ch'ing Dynasties, Hong Kong Museum of Art, Hong Kong, 1977, cat. no. 108; and a fourth example was sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 1^st November 2004, lot 876, with the glaze referred to as 'peacock-feather', a  type of 'Robin's egg' glaze.