A fine tea-dust-glazed bottle vase seal mark and period of Qianlong

the elegantly potted globular body rising from a flaring foot to a tall cylindrical neck with cup-shaped mouth, covered with a densely flecked olive-green glaze paling at the rim and around the shoulder, an incised seal mark to the recessed base

The overall condition is excellent with some expected burst air bubbles.
"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 Qianlong vase of this form covered with a similar strikingly deep tea-dust glaze is illustrated in Porcelains from the Tianjin Municipal Museum, Hong Kong, 1993, pl. 162; and another closely related vase is published in John Ayers, Chinese Ceramics. The Koger Collection, London, 1985, pl. 135. Compare also a third example included in Regina Krahl, Chinese Ceramics from the Meiyintang Collection, vol.2, London, 1994, pl. 935.

See also a vase of this form, glaze and size, from the collection of Countess Edith Schoenborn-Buckhem, sold at Christie's New York, 2nd December 1989, lot 301; and another from the Goldschmidt Collection, sold in these rooms, 13th November 1990, lot 64.

The exact identity of the tea-dust glaze remains uncertain, however, it was during Yongzheng's reign that the repertoire of the Jingdezhen imperial kilns was expanded to include a wide variety of glaze colours, textures and effects, for which evocative names, such as 'tea-dust', were devised. For example, one type of tea-dust glaze which has a striking mottled pattern was called 'eel-skin' after this elongated fish, a traditional culinary delicacy in China.