A Rare And Important Underglaze-Blue And Copper-Red 'Soldier' Vase And Cover. Qing Dynasty, Kangxi Period - Sotheby's

of large baluster form, the rounded shoulders narrowing to a short neck with an everted rim, well-painted in strong tones of underglaze cobalt-blue and vivid copper-red with two registers of large lappet panels, enclosing lush red peony blossoms against a blue ground of foliate scrolls, divided by strapwork and a dense border of peony on the shoulder and neck, the fitted and domed cover similarly decorated and with a gilt fu-dog finial, with giltwood stand and a gilt metal stand (4). Height 44 in., 112 cm. Estimation: 200,000 - 300,000 USD

PROVENANCE: Greenwood Collection, Austin, Texas.
Berwald Oriental Art, New York.

NOTE: Vases of this large size, with the addition of copper-red are very rare. The difficulty of successfully firing the underglaze blue and red proved very challenging and there are few examples of this palette during the Kangxi period and of those, no other of this massive size appears to be recorded. The term ‘soldier’ vase is derived from an unusual trade agreement between Frederick Augustus I (1670-1733), Elector of Saxony, King of Poland known as Augustus the Strong and Frederick Wilhelm I of Prussia. (1688-1740). Augustus was an avid collector of Chinese and Japanese porcelain amassing a vast collection that eventually comprised 24,000 items. The passion of Frederick William I for military exercises was nearly as great as Augustus the Strong’s appetite for porcelain. Augustus’ military campaigns had not met with success and he no longer had need of a large army so, in 1717 he arranged a trade whereby Frederick William I of Prussia would receive 600 soldiers or dragoons in exchange for 151 pieces of Chinese porcelain of which 48 were noted for their great size. This extraordinary and well-documented event speaks volumes as to the value and desirability of Chinese porcelain.

Sotheby's. Fine Chinese Ceramics & Works of Art. New York | 19 mars 2013 www.sothebys.com