Lot 3014. A fine peachbloom-glazed amphora, liuye zun , Kangxi six-character mark in underglaze blue and of the period (1662-1722), 6 1/4 in. (16 cm.) high, box. Estimate HKD 800,000 - HKD 1,200,000 (USD 103,192 - USD 154,788) © Christie’s Images Limited 2017. 

The slender vase has tall rounded shoulders rising to a trumpet neck, all under a peachbloom glaze of rich mottled plum tone thinning in patches to a softer mushroom colour and concentrated in a rich raspberry ring at the foot, the upper body suffused with moss green areas extending around the vessel.  

Provenance: Sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 30 May 2005, lot 1233

Note: The vase is described as an amphora after the Greek shape, but it is known in Chinese as Guanyin ping as its shape compares well to the libation vase said to contain ambrosia held by many figures of Guanyin, as depicted in paintings and sculptures. It is also known in Chinese as liuye ping, 'willow-leaf vase', owing to its elegant form which resembles that of a willow leaf. 

Similar examples are illustrated by S. Valenstein, Handbook of Chinese Ceramics, New York, pl. 138; by R. Krahl, Chinese Ceramics in the Meiyintang Collection, vol. 2, p. 176, pl. 817; in Kangxi Yongzheng Qianlong, Hong Kong, 1989, p. 139, pl. 122, from the Beijing Palace Museum; in the Special Exhibition of K'ang-Hsi, Yung-Cheng, Ch'ien-Lung Porcelain Ware from the National Palace Museum, Taibei, illustrated in the Catalogue, no. 8; by J. Ayers, The Baur Collection, Geneva, 1972, vol. III, no. A303; by Liu Liang-yu, A Survey of Chinese Ceramics, vol. 5, pl. 55, from the Shanghai Museum; included in the Hong Kong Museum of Art exhibition, The Wonders of the Potter's Palette, 1984, illustrated in the Catalogue, no. 29; and by R. M. Chai in his article 'The Eight Prescribed Peach-bloom Shapes Bearing the K'ang Hsi Marks', published in Oriental Art, 1957, vol. 3, no. 4, pp. 130-137, where he praises the elegant form of the vase. Compare also to an example with the lower body fitted with a gilt-metal band, formerly in the Metropolitan Museum of Art Collection, sold at Christie's New York, 15 September 2016, lot 918.

A peachbloom-glazed amphora, liuye zun, Kangxi six-character mark in underglaze blue and of the period (1662-1722). Price realised USD 425,000 at Christie's New York, 15 September 2016, lot 918. © Christie’s Images Limited 2017. 

(Cf. my post A peachbloom-glazed amphora, liuye zun, Kangxi six-character mark in underglaze blue and of the period (1662-1722)

Christie's. The Imperial Sale / Important Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, 31 May 2017, Convention Hall, Hong Kong