Page 68 - important chinese art mar 22 2018

Deceptively simple in form and design, this vase markedly This vase exempli" es the inspired reinterpretation of the
contrasts with the richly ornamented decorative style that is highly esteemed glazes and forms of the Song dynasty.
generally associated with the Qianlong period, and illustrates The diminutive forms of the early dynasty are transformed
the technical perfection achieved by craftsmen working to a magni" cent and imposing scale. It features a perfect,
at the imperial kilns in Jingdezhen. Monochrome vessels luminous, even glaze and an innovative elegant form, and is
required the highest level of skill and precision in every stage extremely pleasing to the eye and outstandingly soft to the
of their production, from the purity of the clay and precision touch. It was created by the imperial kilns most probably
of the potting to the evenness of the glaze and control of the under the supervision of Tang Ying (1682-1756), China’s most
" ring. The slightest irregularity would result in the rejection able superintendent of the imperial porcelain manufactory.
and destruction of the piece, thus pushing the craftsmen to Featuring a magni" cent celadon-green glaze of understated
the limits of their abilities, particularly in the production of beauty, this vase is exceedingly rare amongst Qianlong
large vessels such as the current vase. The subtle glaze has imperial porcelains and no identical example appears to be
been created in imitation of the luminous blue-green wares recorded.
achieved by the potters at the Longquan kilns during the
A similarly glazed but faceted hu-form handled vase of large
Southern Song dynasty. It re& ects the Qianlong emperor’s
size was sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 8th October 2013, lot
noted admiration for these early wares, which he not only
3018. See also a massive ru-type hu-form vase with dragon-
collected but also commissioned the imperial kilns to recreate,
head handles sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 5th October 2011,
a task readily accomplished with great skill, added innovations
lot 1986.
and improvements that set these wares apart from their
prototypes.

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