A COPPER-RED 'DRAGON AND PHOENIX' MEIPING QING DYNASTY, 18TH CENTURY |

well-potted, the baluster body sweeping up to a short everted neck, finely decorated in pencilled tones of underglaze copper red with archaistic chilong and phoenix interspersed among composite floral scroll, all between lappet bands encircling the base and the neck, the rim encircled by detached floral sprays

Sotheby’s London, 6th April 1976, lot 140.
Sotheby’s Hong Kong, 22nd May 1979, lot 201.

The vase is in overall good condition. There is a glaze gap/blemish in the glaze to one shoulder on one side (approx. 0.5 cm), some soiling and some light scratches to the glaze.
"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."

Elegantly decorated in copper red with sinuous archaistic dragons and phoenix striding amongst leafy blooms, the present vase demonstrates the technical proficiency of the craftsmen through the precise application of the highly-temperamental copper pigment. Meiping vases of this design are extremely rare. For a related but slightly smaller example, compare one with more angular shoulders and painted with dragons striding among lingzhi scrolls, sold three times at auction, first in our London rooms, 2nd/3rd December 1974, lot 532, again in these rooms, 29th November 1977, lot 196, and the third time at Christie’s New York, 19th September 2007, lot 404. A further example, larger and unmarked, was sold at Christie's Tokyo, 15th February 1981, lot 313.

See two underglaze-red 'fruit' meiping of this slender shape with smooth shoulders: the first vase from a Japanese collection and included in Illustrated Catalogue of Tokyo National Museum. Chinese Ceramics II, Tokyo, 1990, pl. 570; and the second one formerly in the collection of Sir Harry Garner, smaller in size and dated to the Qianlong period, sold in these rooms, 23rd May 1978, lot 107.