A Blue and White Double-Gourd Beaker Vase, Qing dynasty, Kangxi period

A Blue and White Double-Gourd Beaker Vase, Qing dynasty, Kangxi period

supported on a short rounded foot rising to a straight waisted section of scrolling foliates, ruyi-head lappets and diamond-diaper border, the globular body below a semi-globular section and trumpet neck, decorated in deep underglaze-blue featuring hexagonal jardinieres growing exotic flowers, interspersed with lotus heads encircling floral sprays, with upright lappets enclosing flowers rendered in low-relief, the base with a lingzhi mark. height 16 3/4 in., 42.5 cm. Estimate 8,000—12,000 USD

PROVENANCE: Christie's New York, 9th and 11th May 1981, lot 165.
Thereafter with the present owner.

NOTE: This vase may have belonged to a garniture, such as the set comprising three baluster jars and two covers identical in motif to the present example, sold at Christie's London, 13th May 1986, lot 459. The unusual shape is related to another vase of the same size also attributed to the Kangxi period, illustrated in Kangxi Porcelain Wares from the Shanghai Museum Collection, Hong Kong, 1998, pl. 48.

Sotheby's. Chinese Works of Art. 17 Mar 09.New York www.sothebys.com Photo courtesy Sotheby's