Lot 3762. A rare imperial green-overlay white glass ‘mythical beast’ waterpot, Incised mark and period of Qianlong (1736-1795). Estimate 500,000 — 700,000 HKD. Lot sold 625,000 HKD. Photo: Sotheby's.

the tapering ovoid body rising to an incurved rim, the opaque white body overlaid in pale turquoise-green, carved with chilong and a mythical beast writhing above turbulent crashing waves, incised with a four-character reign mark below the rim - 6.3 cm., 2 1/2  in.

Notes: This charming waterpot carved with lively chilong biting the rim of the vessel is a fine example of cameo-overlay glass wares for the scholar’s desk manufactured for the emperor and his family. A closely related glass waterpot of this type, the overlay depicting pomegranates and incised with a Qianlong nianzhi mark under the rim, in the Palace Museum, Beijing, is included in the Museum’s exhibition Luster of Autumn Water. Glass of the Qing Imperial Workshop, Beijing, 2005, cat. no. 62, together with another waterpot decorated with bats above waves, cat. no. 63.

For examples sold at auction, see a red overlay waterpot decorated with chilong, in the collection of Dr. Sydney Levine, sold in our New York rooms, 28th September 1979, lot 131; and another sold at Christie’s New York, 1st June 1990, lot 117.

Sotheby’s. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, Hong Kong | 08 oct. 2014, 03:00 PM