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A VERY RARE 'EEL-SKIN' GLAZED BULB BOWL INCISED SEAL MARK AND PERIOD OF YONGZHENG
Description
Provenance
Eskenazi Ltd, London.
Literature
Condition
"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."
Catalogue Note
The glaze on this piece, which is somewhat more mottled than the typical 'tea-dust' glaze, has sometimes been described as 'eel-skin'. Glazes of this type were mainly used for vases, while other shapes are rare, and the present form of a circular bulb bowl on four legs appears to be unique. The sharp profile as well as the glaze appearance recall archaistic parcel-gilt bronze vessels, which probably served as prototypes.
Compare a similarly shaped bronze vessel with additional dragon handles, attributed to the late Ming (AD 1368-1644) or early Qing (AD 1644-1911) dynasty, in The Second Bronze Age: Later Chinese Metalwork, Sydney L. Moss Ltd., London, 1991, cat. no. 43, and also illustrated on the dust jacket.
Bulb bowls with 'tea-dust' glazes were made in various different shapes in the Qing dynasty, but those of the Yongzheng period are remarkable for their clear lines and well-designed proportions. The present form appears to be unique in ceramics, but in its exquisite craftsmanship the piece can be compared to a barbed tripod bulb bowl following in shape Jun ware narcissus bowls of the Ming dynasty; see the piece from the Nagatani and Stephen Junkunc III collections, sold at Christie's New York, 21st September 1995, lot 251, and again 17th September 2008, lot 484.