A BLUE AND WHITE VASE WITH MASK HANDLES, HU SEAL MARK AND PERIOD OF QIANLONG

of baluster form supported on a flared foot, gently rising to a waisted neck and a slightly everted mouth, the shoulders flanked by a pair of moulded animal mask handles suspending mock rings, the body divided into four main registers by double fillets, painted in vivid tones of cobalt blue with blooming lotus borne on a continuous foliate scroll in one brand, above two further bands of a floral scroll and cresting waves, all between borders of upright stylised plantain leaves and pendent lappets, the countersunk base inscribed with a six-character reign mark in underglaze blue

There is a 2.5 cm hairline (approx. 3 cm to the interior) to the mouth with very minute glaze loss. Apart from a few original minor underglaze body lines to one of the moulded handles, 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."

A closely related example in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, is illustrated in Porcelain of the National Palace Museum. Blue and White Ware of the Ch'ing Dynasty, vol. II, Hong Kong, 1968, pl. 2; one was sold in our London rooms, 10th November 2010, lot 99; another was sold in these rooms, 8th October 2008, lot 2566, and again at Christie's Hong Kong, 31st May 2010, lot 1904; and a fourth example was also sold in these rooms, 8th April 2011, lot 3137.

Vases of this type belong to a group of Qianlong blue and white wares with decoration adapted from fifteenth century designs but on a bronze shape 'alien to the fifteenth century' (see Julian Thompson, 'Decorative Motifs on Blue and White Porcelain in the S.C. Ko Collection', Chinese Porcelain. The S.C. Ko Tianminlou Collection, vol. II, Hong Kong, 1987, p. 31). This type of vase remained popular and continued to be made throughout the Qing period; for example see a Daoguang vase included in Geng Baochang, Ming Qing ciqi jianding, Hong Kong, 1993, pl. 510.