An unusual guan-type waterdropper, Qing dynasty, Yongzheng period. Photo: Sotheby's

formed by two conjoined peach-shaped droppers, each with a curly stem and two lanceolate leaves, covered overall with a crackled glaze of pale grey tone, the underside with spur marks revealing the almost black body; 13.4 cm., 5 1/4 in. Estimate 500,000 — 700,000 HKD

Provenance: Collection of Edward T. Chow.
Sotheby's London, 16th December 1980, lot 291.
Sotheby's Hong Kong, 24th November 1987, lot 4.

Note: The present piece has been inspired by Song dynasty wares that similarly took the form of nature; compare a Guanyao waterdropper in the shape of a double lotus pod, included in the Special Exhibition of Sung Dynasty Kuan Ware, National Palace Museum, Taipei, 1989, cat. no. 59; and a Jun peach-form waterdropper, included in the Special Exhibition of Sung and Yuan Porcelains, National Palace Museum, Taipei, 1971, cat. no. 17. Waterdroppers of this type were made in a variety of media, for example see one carved from pink crystal, illustrated in Soame Jenyns, Chinese Art. The Minor Arts, vol. 2, London, 1965, pl. 170.

A symbol of immortality, marriage and renewal of life, the peach was a particularly popular motif and adorned a variety of vessels of different media.

Sotheby's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art. Hong Kong | 08 Apr 2014 -www.sothebys.com