A FINE CELADON-GLAZED DOUBLE-GOURD VASE SEAL MARK AND PERIOD OF QIANLONG

robustly potted with a compressed globular lower bulb, surmounted by a slightly smaller upper bulb gently rising to a narrow mouth, the exterior covered evenly in a lustrous glaze of a soft celadon tone, the recessed celadon-glazed base inscribed in underglaze blue with a six-character reign mark

Collection of Frederick J. & Antoinette H. Van Slyke.
Sotheby's New York, 31st May 1989, lot 167.
S. Marchant & Son Ltd., London, 1992.
Sotheby's Hong Kong, 27th April 1993, lot 80.

The overall condition is excellent, except for some minor surface scratches.
"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."

A closely related vase with cover in the Nanjing Museum, Nanjing, was included in the exhibition Qing Imperial Porcelain of the Kangxi, Yongzheng and Qianlong Reigns, Art Gallery, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 1995, cat. no. 69, and is illustrated in Zhongguo qingdai guanyao ciqi, Shanghai, 2003, p. 341; and another is published in Chinese Porcelain. The S.C. Ko Tianminlou Collection, vol. 1, Hong Kong, 1987, pl. 160. See also a vase in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, illustrated in Suzanne G. Valenstein, The Hertzman Collection of Chinese Ceramics, New York, 1992, pl. 98; and a smaller example published in Regina Krahl, Chinese Ceramics from the Meiyintang Collection, vol. 1, Hong Kong, 1987, pl. 160.

Compare also a vase from the Jingguantang collection, included in the Min Chiu Society exhibition Splendour of the Qing Dynasty, Hong Kong Museum of Art, Hong Kong, 1995, cat. no. 212, and illustrated in The Tsui Museum of Art, vol. IV, Hong Kong, 1995, pl. 37, together with its pair, sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 3^rd November 1996, lot 571. A slightly larger example was sold in our London rooms, 12^th July 2006, lot 142; and another was sold in these rooms, 29^th April 1997, lot 581.