Lot 2131. A very rare carved blue and white 'Prunus' baluster vase, Kangxi period (1662-1722); 17 3/8 in. (44 cm.) high. Estimate HKD 200,000 - HKD 300,000. Price realised HKD 1,100,000. © Christie's Images Ltd 2012

The exterior is finely painted with a blossoming prunus tree, with the trunk and branches in pale blue and the blossoms reserved in white on areas of underglaze-blue, below a narrow band of pine needles encircling the high shoulder. The neck is similarly executed with budding branches overlaid by a ribbed band.

Property from the Walter and Phyllis Shorenstein Collection

Provenance: Richard Bennett (b.1849), Thornby Hall, Northampton
Leonard Gow (1859-1936), Glasgow 
Previously sold at Christie's New York, 4 June 1992, lot 352.

Literature: E. Gorer, Catalogue of the Collection of Old Chinese Porcelains Formed by Richard Bennett Esq., Thornby Hall, Northampton, London, 1911, vol. II, pl. 142, right
R.L. Hobson, Catalogue of the Leonard Gow Collection of Chinese Porcelain, London, 1931, col. pl. X 

Exhibited: International Exhibition of Chinese Art, London, 1935-36, no. 1795 

Note: A related vase decorated with magnolia, known as 'The Morgan Magnolia Vase' as it was once in the J.P. Morgan Collection, was sold at Christie's 15 June 1987, lot 48.

A similar vase of this prunus design from the Prince Gong collection was sold by Yamanaka & Company through the American Art Galleries, 28 February 1913, lot 413.