Page 102 - 2020 October 8 HK Fine Classical Paintings

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PROPERTY FROM AN IMPORTANT ASIAN PRIVATE COLLECTION 清乾隆 仿官釉蒜頭瓶
A RARE GUAN-TYPE GARLIC-MOUTH BOTTLE 《大清乾隆年製》款
VASE
SEAL MARK AND PERIOD OF QIANLONG
elegantly potted with a pear-shaped body supported on a
spreading foot rising to a waisted neck surmounted by a
garlic-head mouth, covered overall in a soft bluish-grey glaze
suffused with widely dispersed crackles, the footring applied
with dark brown dressing, inscribed to the base with a six-
character seal mark
27.3 cm, 10¾ in.

HK$ 1,200,000-1,500,000
US$ 155,000-194,000

It is extremely rare to find a Qianlong reign-marked vase of
this elegant garlic-mouth form with a Guan-type glaze. Skilfully
shaped with gentle curves that swell to the body and mouth,
the form of this vase was inspired by celebrated Song vessels
that were the object of the Qianlong Emperor’s admiration
and study. Even the foot is stained in a dark brown colour
to emulate that of its prototype. The beauty of the form is
accentuated by the subtle bluish-grey glaze suffused with fine
streaks of golden-brown crackles.
A Qianlong reign-marked Ru-type vase of this form from the
Qing court collection and still in Beijing is illustrated in The
Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum.
Monochrome Porcelain, Hong Kong, 1999, pl. 215; a larger
example is published in Sekai tōji zenshū/ Collection of World
Ceramics, vol. 12, Tokyo, 1956, pl. 93, together with one
covered in a teadust glaze, p. 183, fig. 52; and a third was sold
in these rooms, 8th October 2008, lot 2512. Compare also a
Ge-type glazed vase with a Yongzheng seal mark and of the
period, included in the International Exhibition of Chinese Art,
Royal Academy of Arts, London, 1935, cat. no. 2589.
For the Song prototype, compare a Longquan celadon vase in
the National Palace Museum, Taipei, illustrated in Lung Ch’uan
Ware of the Sung Dynasty, Taipei, 1962, pl. 10; and examples
recovered from a sunken ship off the coast of Korea in the
first half of the 14th century, included in the Special Exhibition
of Cultural Relics Found Off Sinan Coast, National Museum of
Korea, Seoul, 1977, cat. nos 53 and 54.

Mark

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