Lot 2116. A rare copper-red decorated 'Dragon' vase, Kangxi six-character mark and of the period (1662-1722); 8 1/8 in. (20.6 cm.) high. Estimate HKD 700,000 - HKD 900,000. Price realised HKD 2,660,000. © Christie's Images Ltd 2012 

The vase is exquisitely potted with the angled shoulder tapering to a tall slim cylindrical neck. It is covered overall with a soft lavender glaze with the exception of the base bearing the seal mark written in three vertical lines under a transparent glaze, wood stand.

Provenance: Richard Bennett Collection, Thornby Hall, Northampton (b. 1849)
J. Insley Blair (1870-1939) and thence by descent to the present owners 

Literature: The J. Insley Blair Collection of Chinese Porcelain, Tuxedo Park, New York, 1925, pl. 1, no. 104 

Note: This vase appears to be one of two unique examples among a small group of Kangxi-marked copper-red dragon wares. A high-shouldered vase with a similar vigorous dragon and comparable size (22.2 cm. high) in the Percival David Foundation of Chinese Art is illustrated by R. Scott ed., Chinese Copper Red Wares, London, 1992, pl. 16. Compare also to examples of similar form and size but with an underglaze-blue and copper-red design of a dragon above waves such as the vase sold at Christie's London, 8 November 2011, lot 383.