A small 'Rust'-Glazed Bottle Vase. Qing Dynasty, 18th / 19th Century

The compressed globular body with tapering vertical neck and slightly galleried lip, six 'bowstrings' to the body and neck, all on a slightly flared foot, covered, with the exception of the underside of the foot, with a rich reddish-brown speckled glaze with faint violet iridescence - height 6 7/8 in., 17.5 cm -  Estimate: 5,000—7,000 USD

Provenance: - Geraldine Rockefeller Dodge (until 1975).
- Sotheby's New York, "The Contents of 'Giralda' from the Collection of the Late Geraldine Rockefeller Dodge", 7th October 1975, lot 306 (one of two vases in lot).
- Thereafter with the present owner. Private collection from Boston.

Note: Vases of this form, based on Song period examples, became popular during the 18th century. Generally of a larger size, this type is notable for the different monochromatic glazes used, such as teadust or flambé. For a Qianlong mark and period teadust-glazed example featuring four 'bowstrings', see Qing Imperial Porcelains of the Zande Lou Collection, 2005, no. 50, pp. 134-135. The present vase is a particularly attractive example of a 'rust'-glazed version, where a vessel bearing a shimmering iridescent glaze has emerged from the kiln.

Sotheby's. Fine Chinese Ceramics & Works of Art including Chinese and Japanese Art from The Collection of Frieda and Milton Rosenthal. 16 Sep 08. www.sotheby's.c