A Ming-style blue and white facetted vase, Qing dynasty, 18th century
Lot 3112. A Ming-style blue and white facetted vase, Qing dynasty, 18th century; 5 ¾ in. (14.5 cm.) high. Estimate HKD 300,000 - HKD 500,000. Price realised HKD 525,000. © Christie's Images Ltd 2018.
In imitation of 15th century prototypes, the vase is heavily potted with a shallow, square body with facetted corners surmounted by a tubular neck, and is decorated in shaded underglaze blue with flowering morning glory vine that rises to the lipped rim between the pair of monster-headed handles. The whole is raised on a spreading pedestal foot.
Provenance: Acquired from a member of the Suma Family, who was a former Japanese ambassador to China during the Taisho period (1912-1926)
Note: The Suma Family was known for their collection of Chinese paintings, many of which were donated to the Tokyo National Museum.
The decoration of overall scrolling morning glory blooms on this 18th century vase closely follows its 15th century prototype such as a Xuande-marked blue and white facetted vase in the Palace Museum, illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum - 34 - Blue and White Porcelain with Underglaze Red (I), Hong Kong, 2000, p. 99, no. 93. On some Yongzheng-marked examples, this design has been adapted to feature additional formal design elements on the neck and foot. A Yongzheng-marked blue and white facetted vase of this type was sold at Christie’s London, 13 November 2001, lot 141.
Christie's. Important Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, Hong Kong, 30 May 2018