A rare blue-glazed pear-shaped vase . Qianlong seal mark in underglaze blue and of the period (1736-1795). Photo Christie's Image Ltd 2013

The well and heavily-potted vase has a compressed globular body raised on a spreading foot and tapers to a tall cylindrical neck. The exterior is covered with a glaze of dark blue color in contrast to the white rim and interior. 13¾ in. (34.9 cm.) high, wood stand. Estimate $100,000 - $150,000

Provenance: Private collection, New York, acquired before 1945 and thence by descent within the family.

Notes: A smaller (26 cm.) Qianlong-marked blue-glazed bottle vase of the same shape was sold at Christie's London, 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 at Chrisite's Hong Kong, 1 December 2009, lot 1909.

Christie's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art. 21 - 22 March 2013. New York, Rockefeller Plaza.