Lot 126. A fine flambé-glazed 'pomegranate' lobed vase, Incised Qianlong seal mark and of the period (1736-1795). Estimate HK$ 750,000 - 850,000 (€88,000 - 100,000). Photo: Bonhams.

Note: The inspiration for the flambé glaze can be traced back to the splashed Jun wares of the Song dynasty. However, this particular red glaze, derived from copper but also containing lead, was exceptionally unstable and difficult to control in the kiln, resulting in one of the highest failure rates of all Chinese glazes. It was not until an extraordinary technical mastery was re-developed during the Kangxi period, reaching its zenith in the Qianlong reign, that successful flambé-glazed porcelain could be produced, highlighting the quality and rarity of the present lot. 

Flambé glazes were only achieved towards the late Kangxi period. In 1722, Father François Xavier d'Entrecolles (1664-1741), stated in a letter: "I was brought a piece of porcelain called yaobian ['flambé] or transmutation. This transmutation happens in the kiln and is caused either by a defect, or from excessive heat or some other unknown cause. This piece which, in the opinion of the worker, was not successful, and was caused by pure chance, is no less beautiful or prized. The worker had planned to make soufflé red vases. One hundred pieces were lost, and the one which I spoke of came from the kiln resembling a piece of agate. If one wanted to run the risks and the expense of different attempts, he could finally find the technique which chance produced only one."

The six-lobed pomegranate shape of the vase would have presented additional possibilities for streaking and pooling for the craftsman to explore. 

A similar Qianlong seal mark and period example is in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, illustrated in Catalogue of Ch'ing Dynasty Porcelain in the National Palace Museum. Volume 2, Tokyo, 1981, pl.75; compare also another similar vase, Qianlong mark and period, in the Shanghai Museum, illustrated by Zhou Lili, Shanghai Museum Collections Research Series of: Qing Yongzheng - Xuantong porcelain kiln, Shanghai, 2014, p.105, pl.3-69; a third example, with the same rich purple and blue tones, is illustrated by J.Ayers, Chinese Ceramics in the Baur Collection, vol.2, Geneva, 1999, no.A.291, pl.260.

A similar flambé-glazed 'pomegranate' vase, Qianlong seal mark and of the period, was sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 29 May 2013, lot 2287.

A fine flambé-glazed 'pomegranate' vase, Qianlong incised six-character seal mark and of the period (1736-1795). Price realised HKD 2,190,000 (USD 283,438) at Christie's Hong Kong, 29 May 2013, lot 2287. © Christie's Images Ltd 2013

Cf. my post: A fine flambé-glazed 'Pomegranate' vase, Qianlong incised six-character seal mark and of the period (1736-1795)

Bonhams. FINE CHINESE CERAMICS AND WORKS OF ART, 30 May 2017, 15:00 HKT, HONG KONG, ADMIRALTY