A FINE AND RARE BLUE AND WHITE 'FOLIATE SCROLL' MEIPING MARK AND PERIOD OF YONGZHENG

superbly potted with full rounded shoulders rising at a gently flaring angle from the slightly bulging rounded base, all supported on a short foot, well painted in a lively style in vivid washes of cobalt-blue with a dense network of foliate scrolls issuing furled leaves and meandering tendrils, all between a double-line border below the rim and around the foot, the base inscribed in underglaze blue with a six-character reign mark

Sotheby's Hong Kong, 5th November 1996, lot 805.

The overall condition is excellent, with only a few minute pinholes and light surface 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."

Expertly decorated with ornate curling fronds unfolding over the entire surface of the body, this elegant vase represents the Yongzheng Emperor’s taste for classic styles of the past and his interest in their reinterpretation to result in highly innovative contemporary designs of outstanding quality. The Yongzheng Emperor took a keen interest in the work of various imperial manufactories in his empire, particularly the imperial kilns at Jingdezhen where artistic direction was led by his personal taste. Through his brilliant kiln supervisor, Tang Ying, he achieved a distinctive style and refinement by studying celebrated wares of the past and fine-tuning shapes to harmonious proportions, developing sophisticated designs and aspiring to the standard of the best works from Chinese history.

A closely related example, from the Shorenstein collection, was sold at Christie’s Hong Kong, 1st December 2010, lot 2966; another was sold in these rooms, 15th May 1990, lot 138; and a third example, but the design rendered against a yellow-enamelled ground, is published in John Ayers, Chinese Ceramics in the Baur Collection, Geneva, 1999, pl. 209.

The present vase may be regarded as an echo of a famous doucai bottle of the Ming dynasty (1368-1644) which is also painted with scrolling fronds, from the Qing Court collection and still in Beijing, illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum. Porcelains in Polychrome and Contrasting Colours, Hong Kong, 1999, pl. 60. While the Ming vase is of pear shape it similarly takes a secondary scroll motif and places it as the primary decorative motif. The Yongzheng craftsman has created a highly contemporary design by infusing the scroll with a featheriness that is characteristic of Western rococo scrolling fronds, which reflects the artistic and cultural exchange of his time.