Lot 65. A rare and large archaistic 'sweet white' jar, Qianlong period (1736-17395); 49.5cm (19 1/2in) high. Sold for £50,000 (€63,979). © Bonhams 2001-2016.

The ovoid body rising from a slightly flaring foot to a waisted neck, carved in low relief with a band of archaistic foliate chilong with bodies arranged in angular scrollwork, all below upright leaf tips on the broad neck and a key-fret band encircling the rim, covered overall with a translucent white glaze of a pale bluish tone. 

Notes: Monochrome wares coated with an exceptionally lush and mellow, semi-translucent white glaze, were first manufactured by the Imperial kilns of Jingdezhen during the reign of Emperor Yongle (1402-1424) of the Ming Dynasty. Much favoured at court, most probably for the importance attributed to the colour white in Buddhist ritual ceremonies, which the Emperor patronised, the visually appealing glaze enriched the elegant and balanced shapes with a superbly crisp, glossy and rich presence. 

The elaborate archaistic design on the present jar is clearly inspired by the decoration on Shang and Zhou dynasty bronzes, which was promoted by the Qianlong emperor as a means to revive the values of the past and shape contemporary aesthetic and morals. 

A famille rose and green-glazed vase, attributed to the Qianlong period and decorated with a related band of kui dragons, is illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum, Porcelains with Cloisonné Enamel Decoration and Famille Rose Decoration, Hong Kong, 1999, pl.161. 

A large robin's-egg-ground gilt-decorated archaistic vase decorated with a related band of dragons, formerly in the collection of J.T.Tai, was sold at Sotheby's Hong Kong, 7 October 2010, lot 2128.

Bonhams. AUCTION 23237: FINE CHINESE ART, LONDON, NEW BOND STREET