Lot 2320. A fine and very rare pale celadon-glazed cong-form vase, Xuantong six-character mark and of the period (1909-1911); 10 3/4 in. (27.4 cm.) high. Estimate HKD 120,000 - HKD 180,000. Price realised HKD 250,000. © Christie's Images Ltd 2012

The rectangular body is moulded on each side with the Eight Trigrams,bagua, below a short cylindrical neck, covered with an attractive soft blue-green glaze, Japanese wood box.

Provenance: A Japanese private collection, acquired in the early 20th century.

Note: Xuantong examples of this popular late Qing form and design are very rare. A pale celadon- glazed Xuantong-marked vase of this shape, from the Qing Court Collection, was exhibited at the Nanjing Museum, Treasures in the Royalty - The Official Kiln Porcelain of the Qing Dynasty, Nanjing, October 2003, Catalogue p. 495.

An almost identical Guangxu-marked vase was sold at Christie's New York, 21 September 2004, lot 312; and a second example, 16-17 September 2010, lot 1482. The group is discussed by G. Avitabile, Vom Schatz der Drachen, London, 1987, pl. 113 where the author notes that vases of this type were produced into the Xuantong period.