清乾隆 仿汝釉六方貫耳小壺 《大清乾隆年製》款

of archaic hu form, the pear-shaped octagonal body rising from a straight foot to a tapered neck flanked by two small lug handles, finely applied overall with a fine caesious-coloured glaze slightly draining to pale grey around the rim and lugs in imitation of the Song dynasty Ru guanyao ware, the base inscribed in underglaze blue with a six-character seal mark

S. Marchant and Son，倫敦，2005年6月18日

The vase is in overall very good condition. 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."

The Qianlong Emperor is famous for his fondness for Imperial stonewares of the Song dynasty (960-1279) and adorned many of the pieces with his poems that had been inspired by them. Under his reign, glazes imitating Jun, Ding, guan, Ge and Ru wares, the five ‘official’ wares of the Song dynasty, were created to cover a range of carefully selected forms like in the present piece. The high level of skill in ‘recreating’ every aspect of Song ware is evidenced in the foot which has been left unglazed and stained dark brown to imitate the prototype.

A closely related example was sold in these rooms, 8th October 2008, lot 2508. Compare also a small Qianlong ru-type vase of related hu form in the Palace Museum, Beijing, illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum. Monochrome Porcelain, Hong Kong, 1999, pl. 216.