Page 21 - Sotheby's Imperial Chiense Porcelain Nov 4 2020 London
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            A VERY RARE CELADON-GLAZED ‘MONK’S        清乾隆   粉青釉僧帽壺
            CAP’ EWER
            QIANLONG SEAL MARK AND PERIOD             《大清乾隆年製》款
            the compressed globular body rising from a short tapering
            foot, surmounted by a flaring cylindrical neck and a stepped,
            galleried ‘monk’s cap’ collar, set to one side with a deep
            channelled spout opposite a curved strap handle with
            a raised ridge down the centre and a ruyi-head tab and
            terminal, applied overall with a celadon glaze with a subtle
            bluish tint, the base with a six-character seal mark in slip
            Height 11.2 cm, 4⅜ in.
            ‡ £ 20,000-30,000

            This charming ewer is special for its small size and
            brilliant celadon glaze. Its form, known as sengmaohu,
            or ‘monk’s cap’ ewer, derived from Tibetan ewers
            made of metal or wood and placed in front of altars
            for use in ablutions. This type of ewer was introduced
            to the imperial porcelain factory in Jingdezhen in the
            early Ming dynasty (1368-1644), and by the Qianlong
            period examples were made in a variety of sizes and
            monochrome glazes.
            ‘Monk’s cap’ ewers of this size are unusual, although a
            similar example with cover, from the S.C. Ko Tianminlou
            collection, is illustrated in Chinese Porcelain. The S.C. Ko
            Tianminlou Collection, Hong Kong, 1987, vol. I, pl. 158.





































            mark


            38       Buyers are liable to pay both the hammer price (as estimated above) and the buyer’s premium together with any applicable taxes and Artist’s Resale Right (which will depend on the individual circumstances).    39
                     Refer to the Buying at Auction and VAT sections at the back of this catalogue for further information.
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