A rare molded moon white-glazed ritual food vessel and cover (dui), Qianlong seal marks and period (1736-1795)
Lot 138. A rare molded moon white-glazed ritual food vessel and cover (dui), Qianlong seal marks and period (1736-1795). Height 8 in., 20.4 cm. Estimate 10,000 — 15,000 USD. Lot sold 100,000 USD. © Sotheby's
the spherical form modeled after a Warring States ritual food vessel, the body raised on three blade-form feet, the cover of conforming shape, both finely molded in shallow relief with borders of scrollwork, keyfret and wanzi diaper, centered with a mallow-form floret framed by scrollwork, the opaque 'moon white' glaze pooling in the recesses, each of the interiors centered with an incised six-character seal mark (2) .
Provenance: Collection of George A. Lucas (1824–1909).
Collection of Jesse G. Kaufman (1883-1976), and thence by descent
Note: Compare a related Qianlong mark and period white-glazed ritual vessel, in the form of a xing, carved with archaistic motifs and raised on three similar blade feet, sold at Christie's New York, 27th November 1991, lot 348.
Sotheby's. Important Chinese Art, New York, 12 sept. 2018, 10:30 AM