A 'BRONZE-IMITATION' TEA-DUST GLAZED AND GILT-SPLASHED 'CHILONG' BOTTLE VASE SEAL MARK AND PERIOD OF QIANLONG

of elegant pear shape, the compressed globular body rising from a short splayed foot to a tall cylindrical neck, covered overall in a gilt-speckled olive-green glaze, applied with a gilt-decorated archaistic chilong clambering around the tapering shoulder, the mythical beast finely detailed with a combed mane and a well-defined body terminating in a bifurcated tail sweeping up the slender neck, the base inscribed in gilt with a six-character seal mark, wood stand

An old Japanese collection.

The vase is in overall good condition except for a tiny flake to the mane and two minute spots with shallow glaze loss near the front leg and the tail. There are some minor firing imperfections including a couple of firing lines to the legs. There is also minor surface wear, especially to the gilt decoration at the extremities.
"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."

This vase is unusual for the finely gilded sinuous chilong applied on the shoulders of the vessel. This type of decoration is known on Longquan celadon vases from as early as the 8th century, although it gradually waned during the Ming dynasty and mainly used by potters in Dehua, Fujian province. This motif was revived at the beginning of the Qing dynasty, when sinuous chilong were applied on vases covered in a variety of glazes.

Compare a related vase sold in these rooms, 7th October 2015, lot 3682; a larger tea-dust glazed vase similarly applied with a chilong, but lacking the mark, illustrated in Qingdai taoci Daquan [An encyclopaedia of Qing porcelain], Taipei, 1989, pl. 99; another of facetted form, in the British Museum, London, published in Soame Jenyns, Later Chinese Porcelain. The Ch’ing Dynasty, London, 1951, pl. CV, no. 2a.