A Ge-type vase, cong, Daoguang seal mark and of the period
A Ge-type vase, cong, Daoguang seal mark and of the period. Photo Bonhams.
The square-sectioned vase rising from a circular spreading foot and with a narrow circular mouth, the four sides each moulded with the Eight Trigrams and the exterior and interior all covered in a thick glaze of soft pale blue tone and covered with characteristic fine craquelure contrasting with darker crackle lines, wood stand. 28cm (11in) high (2). Estimate £30,000 - 50,000 (€36,000 - 60,000)
Provenance: according to the family, given by the Japanese ambassador or another government official to Sir Reginald Edward Stubbs, GCMG (1876-1947), while he was Governor of Hong Kong between 1919-1925, and thence by descent
An English private collection
The shape of this vase is based on Neolithic ritual jades, known particularly from the Liangzhu culture (3400 - 2250 BC). The form saw a revival during the Song dynasty, when similarly shaped vessels were produced in Longquan celadon and in Guan type glazes; see for example in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, Porcelain of the National Palace Museum: Lung-Ch'uan Ware of the Sung Dynasty, Hong Kong, 1962, pl.12, p.50, Kuan Ware of the Sung Dynasty, pl.8a, p.33, and Kuan Ware of the Southern Sung Dynasty, Vol.I, pl.16, p.62. See also a related Guan-type glazed cong vase, Ming Dynasty, from the Qing Court Collection, illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum: Monochrome Porcelain, Hong Kong, 1999, pl.199.
Chang Li-tuan notes in The Refined Taste of the Emperor: Special Exhibition of Archaic and Pictorial Jades of the Ch'ing Court, National Palace Museum, Taipei, 1997, p.49 that the Qianlong Emperor proposed to 'restore ancient ways', suggesting that jade carvers turn to antiquity for models, enabling to imbue their designs with simplicity and honesty, achieving refinement and elegance. The 'ancient ways' referred to the intrinsic values of sincerity, simplicity, and happy exuberance. Similarly to jade, such inspiration was sought after and implemented in other mediums including porcelain made for the Imperial court.
Compare a similar Guan-type cong vase, Daoguang seal mark and period sold at Christie's London on 8 November 2011, lot 362.
Bonhams. FINE CHINESE ART. London, New Bond Street, 15 May 2014 - www.bonhams.com