A fine teadust-glazed vase, Hu. Seal Mark and Period of Qianlong.

A fine teadust-glazed vase, Hu. Seal Mark and Period of Qianlong. photo courtesy Sotheby's

the rounded pear-shaped body rising from a short spreading foot to a tall slightly flaring neck set with a pair of strap handles, covered overall with a rich golden olive-green glaze thinning to a caramel tone at the edges of the handles and rim, the base impressed with a six-character seal mark, wood stand; 18.5 cm., 7 1/4 in. Estimate 2,000,000—3,000,000 HKD. Lot Sold 2,420,000 HKD 

PROVENANCE: A Japanese Collection.

NOTE: Vases of this shape and this type of glaze are rare; see a related example, but of slightly larger dimensions and with a plain foot and straight neck, also impressed with a Qianlong seal mark and of the period, illustrated in John Ayers, Chinese Ceramics in the Baur Collection, vol. 2, Geneva, 1999, pl. 296. A vase of similar form with a Ru-type glaze, in the Meiyintang Collection, is published in Regina Krahl, Chinese Ceramics from the Meiyintang Collection, vol. 4 , pt. II, London, 2009, pl. 1791. Compare also a Yongzheng version of related shape with a Guan-type glaze in the Palace Museum, Beijing, illustrated in Kangxi. Yongzheng. Qianlong. Qing Porcelain from the Palace Museum, Hong Kong, 1989, p. 245, pl. 74.

The form of this vase derives from the archaic ritual bronze hu, and the strap handles are reminiscent of the swing handles of the original.

Sotheby's. Fine Chinese Ceramics & Works of Art, 08 Oct 10, Hong Kong www.sothebys.com