Page 22 - Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art II

PROPERTY FROM THE ESTATE OF MARYLIN JONES

2162
A MAGNIFICENT AND VERY RARE LARGE CELADON-GLAZED CARVED MOON FLASK
QIANLONG SIX-CHARACTER SEAL MARK IN UNDERGLAZE BLUE AND OF THE PERIOD (1736-1795)

The elegantly potted body is raised on a rounded rectangular foot and is decorated in low-
relief on both sides with dense, leafy lotus scroll, repeated on the neck between the pair of
chilong-form handles, and below a band of classic scroll at the lipped rim. The vase is covered
in an even glaze of soft blue-green tone.
17æ in. (45.2 cm.) high

$1,000,000-1,500,000

PROVENANCE:

Mary Eddy Jones (1902-2000), Oklahoma, acquired in 1950s-60s, and thence by descent
within the family.

In the 18th century, the Jingdezhen imperial kilns devoted considerable research and development to
the production of celadon glazes applied to a white porcelain body. In the Qianlong reign, these fne
celadon glazes were sometimes used on undecorated pieces - the perfection of the glaze enhancing
the elegance of the form. However, celadon glazes were also applied to porcelain vessels with low
relief surface decoration, which had become somewhat bolder and more formal in the Qianlong reign.
The present vase is an excellent example of the refned effect that could be created by the use of the
carved decoration on a monochrome porcelain vessel.

No other celadon-glazed Qianlong-marked moonfask of this size and particular shape appears to have
been published. However, a blue and white moonfask of similar size and shape, also decorated with
lotus scrolls and with chilong handles, and with Qianlong seal mark, is illustrated in The Tsui Museum
of Art; Chinese Ceramics IV; Qing Dynasty, Hong Kong, 1995, no. 74. Compare, also the unmarked
Qianlong period blue and white moonfask with lotus-scroll decoration on the body and petal lappets
on the neck from the Huaihaitang Collection exhibited at the Chinese University of Hong Kong,
Ethereal Elegance - Porcelain Vases Of The Imperial Qing - The Huaihaitang Collection, November
2007-March 2008 and illustrated in the catalogue, p. 280, no. 94. Another similar example, but with
a Yongzheng mark, was sold at Sotheby Parke Bernet, Hong Kong, 16 May 1977, lot 93.

清乾隆 粉青釉刻纏枝蓮紋大抱月瓶 六字篆書款

(mark)

Marylin Jones Jarmin, Mary Eddy Jones and Mr. Henry
Ford II, at the opening of the Ford Motor Company Glass
Factory, Tulsa, Oklahoma, 1975.

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