A RARE WHITE-GLAZED BEEHIVE WATERPOT MARK AND PERIOD OF KANGXI

of classic 'taibai zun' form, the domed hemispherical body with rounded sides tapering to a short waisted neck, the exterior finely moulded and carved with three coiled chilong medallions, the exterior applied with an even milky-white glaze, the countersunk base inscribed in underglaze blue with a three-column six-character reign mark

Sotheby's Hong Kong, 20th November 1984, lot 471.

The overall condition is quite good, except for a slightly polished section of approx. 0.5 by 1.6 cm on the rim, probably to conceal a shallow flake. It also has some typical surface wear and characteristic firing imperfections including pinpricks and iron spots.
"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."

Beehive waterpots of this shape are well-known with peachbloom glazes but those covered in other monochrome glazes were produced in smaller numbers. A closely related waterpot in the Shanghai Museum, Shanghai, is illustrated in Kangxi Porcelain Wares, Hong Kong, 1998, pl. 228; one from the Qing court collection and still in Beijing, is published in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum. Monochrome Porcelain, Hong Kong, 1999, pl. 111; another in the Koger Collection, illustrated in J. Ayers, Chinese Ceramics. The Koger Collection, London, 1985, pl. 139, was sold in our London rooms, 16th May 2012, lot 171; another from the Riesco Collection, illustrated in Edgar E. Bluett, The Riesco Collection of Old Chinese Pottery and Porcelain, London, 1951, pl. 61 right, was sold in our London rooms, 11th December 1984, lot 430; and a fifth example exhibited on loan at Yale University Art Gallery, New Haven, from the collection of Mrs Yale Kneeland, was sold in our New York rooms, 1st June 1994, lot 371, and again at Christie's Hong Kong, 26th April 1999, lot 507.

See a peachbloom-glazed beehive waterpot incised with archaistic dragon roundels, from the collection of the descendants of Dudley L. Pickman (1779-1848) and General Charles G. Loring (1828-1902) to be offered in the sale Chinese Art from Two American Private Collections, lot 1113. Compare also a yellow-glazed waterpot of similar shape and size, incised with dragon roundels, in the Sir Percival David Foundation of Chinese Art, published in Rosemary Scott, Illustrated Catalogue of Ming and Qing Monochrome Wares in the Percival David Foundation of Chinese Art, London, 1989, pp. 30-31, no. A508.