A FINE LARGE FLAMBÉ-GLAZED BOTTLE VASE INCISED SEAL MARK AND PERIOD OF QIANLONG

of elegant pear-shaped form, supported on a slightly splayed foot, gently rising to a tall tubular neck, covered with a rich purplish-raspberry glaze feathered with milky-blue, draining from the rim leaving a cream coloured band, suffused overall with a network of fine glaze crackles, the base incised with a six-character seal mark

In overall good condition. There are scattered natural pinholes from the firing process.
"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."

Vessels covered in this striking flambé glaze reflect the Qianlong Emperor’s fondness of the celebrated Song dynasty Jun wares. The Yongzheng Emperor (1722-1735) first commissioned the development of new glazes in imitation of Jun vessels and nine different types of revival Jun glazes, primarily made in the tones of purple, crimson and blue, are recorded in the 1732 edition of the Jiangxi Tongzhi [General Description of the Jiangxi Province], and discussed in S.W. Bushell, Oriental Ceramic Art, London, 1981, pp. 194-196. This glaze was perfected under Qianlong’s reign and a large number of vases covered in this highly attractive glaze was made after antique shapes, such as the present lot. For the possible Song prototype of this vase see a ‘Jun’ bottle vase of slightly smaller size, in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, illustrated in Chün Ware of the Sung Dynasty, Hong Kong, 1961, pl. 3a.

Qianlong reign-marked vases of this form and glaze are preserved in museum and private collections, including one in the Nanjing Museum, Nanjing, illustrated in The Official Kiln Porcelain of the Chinese Qing Dynasty, Shanghai, 2003, pl. 345; another, in the Huaihaitang collection, included in the exhibition Ethereal Elegance, Art Museum, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 2007, cat. no. 68. For an example sold at auction, see the example sold in these rooms, 27th April 1993, lot 84, and again, 8th April 2011, lot 3027.