A WHITE-GLAZED OLIVE-SHAPED VASE WITH HANDLES MARK AND PERIOD OF YONGZHENG

elegantly potted with curved sides rising to a rounded shoulder, surmounted by a slender waisted neck with a cup-shaped mouth, the neck flanked by ear-shaped handles, applied overall with a lustrous white glaze, the recessed base inscribed in underglaze blue with a six-character reign mark within a double-circle

The vase is slightly tilted, and the mouthrim has been lightly reduced. There is a stained curved cut of about 6.8 cm along the circumference of the base, possibly as a result of intended drilling to the base for electrification as a lamp. Apart from some minor surface scratches and stained glaze cracks, the overall condition of the vase 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."

Vases of this form are rare, although a closely related example, but covered in a whitish Guan-type glaze, in the Palace Museum, Beijing, is illustrated in Qingdai yuyao ciqi, vol. 1, pt. II, Beijing, 2005, pl. 158. Compare also a Yongzheng mark and period vase of this shape, but decorated in underglaze blue with a wide band of floral scrolls between rows of stiff leaves, in the Wang Xing Lou collection, included in the exhibition Imperial Perfection. The Palace Porcelain of Three Chinese Emperors, Minneapolis Institute of Arts, Minneapolis, 2004, cat. no. 6; and another in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, published in the Illustrated Catalogue of Ch'ing Dynasty Porcelain in the National Palace Museum. K'ang-hsi Ware and Yung-cheng Ware, Tokyo, 1980, pl. 69.