Lot 164. A Fine Blue and White 'Lotus' Vase, Hu, Qianlong Seal Mark And Period (1736-1795). Height 17 3/4  in., 45.1 cm. Estimate: 400,000 - 600,000 USD. Lot sold 485,000 USD. Photo: Sotheby's.

the pear-shaped body rising from a short spreading foot to a short-waisted flaring neck flanked by archaistic scroll handles, painted around the exterior in rich cobalt-blue tones with a broad scrolling lotus band, all between ruyi, lotus-lappet and classic scroll bands, the neck with a band of shou medallions on a wanground, seal mark in underglaze blue. 

PROVENANCE: Sotheby's New York, 19th September 2002, lot 148.
Sotheby's Hong Kong, 2nd May 2005, lot 654.

NOTE: A similar vase in the Shanghai Museum is illustrated in Selected Ceramics from the Collection of Mr and Mrs. J.M Hu, Shanghai, 1989, pl. 62; and another is illustrated in Geng Baochang, Ming Qing ciqi jianding, Hong Kong, 1993, pl.455; and one of a pair from the T.Y Chao Collection, sold at Sotheby's Hong Kong, 19th May 1987, lot 272, was included in the exhibition Ch'ing Porcelain from the Wah Kwong Collection, The Art Gallery, Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1973-4, cat. no. 68.