Lot 1366. A rare flambé-glazed archaistic vase, Hu, Yongzheng incised four-character sealmark and of the period (1723-1735); 10 1/4 in. (26 cm.) high. Estimate HKD 300,000 - HKD 400,000. Price realised HKD 1,320,000. © Christie's Images Ltd 2006. 

The pear-shaped body with double-ribs at the shoulder and applied with two taotie mask handles suspending fixed rings, all under a characteristically thick and bright purple glaze with turquoise streaks thinning to a brown over the extremities and mouth rim, the base washed in café-au-lait and splashed in celadon, stand, box.

Note: Only one other flambé-glazed vase of this form and design is known, included in the Min Chiu Society Thirty-fifth Anniversary Exhibition, In Pursuit of Antiquities, Hong Kong, 1995, illustrated in the Catalogue, pl. 137, and subsequently sold in these Rooms, The Jingguantang Collection, 3 November 1996, lot 564.

Cf. other related flambé-glazed vases bearing Yongzheng marks, although none of this exact form, in the Palace Museum, Beijing, illustrated in Kangxi, Yongzheng, Qianlong, Hong Kong, 1989, pp. 278-281, pls. 107-110. 

Christie's. Important Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, Hong Kong, 30 May 2006