A Rare Blue-Glazed Pear-Shaped Vase. Qianlong Seal Mark In Underglaze Blue And Of The Period (1736-1795). photo Christie's Ltd 2011

Well and heavily-potted with a compressed globular body raised on a spreading foot and tapering to a tall neck, covered overall with a glaze of smooth dark blue color in contrast to the white rim; 13¾ in. (34.9 cm.) high - Estimate $80,000 - $120,000. Price Realized $386,500

Provenance: Acquired prior to World War II, and thence by descent within the family.

Notes: A smaller (26 cm.) Qianlong-marked blue-glazed bottle vase of the same form was sold in our London rooms, 12 May 2009, lot 164. Teadust-glazed vases of this shape and size, although with Qianlong incised seal marks, have been published by R. Kerr, Chinese Ceramics, Porcelain of the Qing Dynasty 1644-1911, London, 1986, fig. 25; and by R. Krahl, Chinese Ceramics from the Meiyintang Collection, vol. 2, London, 1994, no. 936. See, also, the example sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 1 December 2009, lot 1909.

Christie's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art Part I & II,  15 - 16 September 2011. New York, Rockefeller Plaza. www.christies.com