AN INSCRIBED YIXING 'PRUNUS' TEAPOT AND COVER SIGNED QU YINGSHAO, QING DYNASTY, JIAQING – DAOGUANG PERIOD

with a tall domed body decorated with a short spout and a loop handle, the exterior carved with a continous scene of prunus buds and blooms borned on gnarled branches extending across the vessel and cover, the teapot further incised with inscriptions signed Ziye, the base of the handle with a square seal reading Ji'an, the countersunk base with a seal reading Shihu zifan, the cover centred with a loop finial and incised with four characters reading lingqing chaju, the interior of cover with a seal reading Zhen xiang, inscribed wood box dated to the 13th year of the Meiji period, corresponding to 1880

The teapot and cover are in good condition, with just minor surface wear. Images of the Meiji period inscribed Japanese box are available upon request.
"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."

Another Yixing stoneware teapot and cover with similar incised decoration of prunus, but incised by Qiao Zhonxi was sold in these rooms, 2nd June 2016, lot 5, from the Water, Pine and Stone retreat collection.