A RARE FLAMBÉ-GLAZED VASE YONGZHENG SEAL MARK AND PERIOD

of barrel shape, covered overall in a rich red glaze streaked to a milky lavender tone, the rim thinning to a pale mushroom colour, the recessed base with a pale brown glaze mottled with pale celadon and incised with a four-character Yongzheng seal mark

A Scottish Private Collection.

This rare jar is in good condition with the exception of two areas of glaze rim fritting (8 and 1.5cm., wide), crescent-shaped firing lines encircling the foot with associated glaze crazing around the lower body, minor glaze firing imperfections including a 3mm., blister on the side of the body and light glaze 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 smaller vase of this form, with a Yongzheng reign mark and of the period, was offered in our Hong Kong rooms, 16^th November 1988, lot 322; and a Qianlong mark and period example, from the collection of James W. Kiriakaracos, was sold at Christie's New York, 19^th September 2006, lot 368. See also a hanging scroll by Giuseppe Castiglione (1688-1766) dated 1725, painted with a flower bouquet in a Jun-type vase of this form, sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 25^th April 2004, lot 86 (fig.1).

During the Yongzheng period the Imperial kilns at Jingdezhen were active in their attempts to reproduce Song dynasty glazes. Stephen W. Bushell notes in his translation of the official list dated to 1732 of the designs and colours produced at the Imperial kilns in Oriental Ceramic Art, London, 1981, pp 195-6, that it records no less than nine varieties of Jun glazes which were being copied from ancient specimens, five of which were sent from the Imperial palace as models. For the Song inspiration of this piece compare a smaller Jun vase from the Peters collection, included in the International Exhibition of Chinese Art, Royal Academy of Arts, London, 1935, cat. no. 1079.