清乾隆 仿官釉貫耳六方壺 《大清乾隆年製》款

elegantly potted, of hexagonal form rising from a splayed foot to angled shoulders, sweeping up to a waisted neck and everted rim, set with a pair of tubular lug handles, applied overall with a rich caesius-coloured glaze suffused with a fine mist of bubbles, subtly draining to a pale greyish shade along the vertical edges, save for the footring left unglazed and dressed in a brown wash imitating the purplish body of the Song dynasty guan ware, the recessed base inscribed in underglaze blue with a six-character seal mark, carved wood stand

繭山龍泉堂，東京

There are a few pin prick burst air bubble in the caesius glaze (showing on the illustration in the catalogue) as well as expected glaze crackles, but otherwise the vase is in very good condition. The glaze is unctuous and very attractive. The actual colour is quite close to the catalogue illustration.
"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."

Vases of this type that were inspired by the archaic bronze vessel, hu, were first produced in the Yongzheng period and enjoyed heightened popularity during the Qianlong reign. They were decorated in a range of glazes that were inspired by the celebrated wares of the Song dynasty, such as Ru, guan and Ge. Three closely related vases were sold in these rooms, 9^th October 2007, lot 1526, 26^th October 2003, lot 50, and 20^th May 1981, lot 822; and another, but covered in a Ge-type glaze was also sold in these rooms, 8^th April 2009, lot 1651. For the Yongzheng prototype, see a guan-type example from the Qing Court collection and still in Beijing, published in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum. Monochrome Porcelain, Hong Kong, 1999, pl. 204.

Further Qianlong vases of this form but covered in various glazes include a sky-blue example, illustrated in Sekai toji zenshu, vol. 12, Tokyo, 1956, pl. 46; one covered in a teadust glaze, published in Chinese Ceramics in the Idemitsu Collection, Tokyo, 1987, pl. 965; and a moulded celadon-glazed vase, included in the exhibition Ethereal Elegance. Porcelain Vases of the Imperial Qing. The Huaihaitang Collection, Art Museum, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 2007, cat. no. 50. Vases of this form are also known decorated in underglaze blue, for example see one in the Palace Museum, Beijing, illustrated in Treasures of the Royalty. The Official Kiln Porcelain of the Qing Dynasty, Shanghai, 2003, pl. 238.