A 'GUAN'-TYPE FACETED VASE, FANGHU QING DYNASTY, 18TH CENTURY

of rectangular section, the pear-shaped body flanked by tubular handles on the waisted neck, covered overall in a thick bluish-gray glaze suffused with a pale golden crackle, the splayed base with a small elliptical aperture to either short end, the footrim covered in a brown wash in imitation of the famous Song dynasty Guan ware, Japanese wood box

Collection of Sir John Figgess (1909-1997), by repute.

The vase is in good 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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

This attractive vase is made in imitation of the highly-treasured Guan ware of the Southern Song dynasty. The thick luminous crackled glaze complements the simple faceted form and brown-washed foot. The form derives originally from archaic ritual bronze vessels of the Shang and Zhou dynasties. An archaic revival during the Song dynasty inspired the ceramic renditions; a period Guan ware crackle-glazed fanghu is illustrated in Gakuji Hasebe, Ceramic Art of the World: Sung Dynasty, Tokyo, 1977, vol. 12, p. 207, no. 205. The National Palace Museum retains four 18th century Guan-type vases of the same form but bearing lengthy Qianlong imperial inscriptions and are illustrated in Obtaining Refined Enjoyment: The Qianlong Emperor's Taste in Ceramics, National Palace Museum, Taipei, 2011, cat. nos. 83-86. Vases of the same type were also made with various Qing dynasty imperial seal marks. An example with a Qianlong seal mark sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 20th-21st May 1987, lot 511 and again in these rooms 11th-12th September 2012, lot 54 and another sold in our London rooms 16th May 2012, lot 166.