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An Imperially Inscribed Grey Pottery Jar The Vessel, Zhou Dynasty/Warring States Period, The Qianlong Inscription Dated 1769
Estimate
20,000 - 30,000 GBP
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Description
- pottery
the globular body rising from a slightly concave base to a short cylindrical neck with everted rim, impressed around the exterior with a geometric pattern and incised to the inside of the neck and rim with eight five-character lines, composed by the Qianlong Emperor in the Summer of the cylindrical year jichou, and inscribed by Imperial order, seal Dechong fu (Tally of Virtue Replete)
Provenance
Collection of Sir Percival and Lady David.
Sotheby's, London, 5th December 1961, lot 25.
Bluett's, London.
Sotheby's, London, 5th December 1961, lot 25.
Bluett's, London.
Literature
R.L. Hobson, A Catalogue of Chinese Pottery and Porcelain in the Collection of Sir Percival David, London, 1936, p. 181.
Condition
This very rare vessel is in good condition with the exception of some flakes to the lower edge of the rim (0.6 x 1cm., 1.5 x 1cm., 1.6 x 1cm., 1.6 x 1cm., and 2.5 x 1cm.) and two minor areas, circa 5cm., diam., of discolouration possibly due to burial.
"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."
"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 inscribed poem is titled Yong Taozun (Song for a Pottery Zun Wine Vessel), recorded in the Yuzhi shiji (Imperial Poetry Collection), compiled in the Siku quanshu (Library of the Four Treasures), third collection (sanji), 79:17a. It can be translated as follows:
Potter’s clay successfully formed this zun,
No different than if cut out of the earth intact!
Arrayed in antiquity with wooden and bamboo vessels,
It had the same origin as very agriculture itself.
Lifting it to drink, I look loftily into the distance,
But, for the way it looks, have nothing to say,
Though the “Ancestor Ding” and “Father Yi” vessels,
It’s immediately obvious, are its direct descendants.
Potter’s clay successfully formed this zun,
No different than if cut out of the earth intact!
Arrayed in antiquity with wooden and bamboo vessels,
It had the same origin as very agriculture itself.
Lifting it to drink, I look loftily into the distance,
But, for the way it looks, have nothing to say,
Though the “Ancestor Ding” and “Father Yi” vessels,
It’s immediately obvious, are its direct descendants.