Lot 157. A Guan-type glazed vase, fanghu, Qianlong six-character seal mark in underglaze blue and of the period (1736-1795). Hauteur: 31 cm. (12 ¼ in.). Estimate EUR 60,000 - EUR 80,000. Price realised EUR 75,000. © Christie’s Images Limited 2018.

De forme hexagonale arrondie, il est entièrement recouvert d'une glaçure bleu-gris finement infusée de craquelures noires et brunes. Le col évasé est flanqué par une paire d'anses tubulaires.

Provenance: Property of a French noble family, acquired by the present owner's great-grandfather in the early 20th century.

Note: Archaism as a major theme in the crafts of the Qing dynasty, is represented two-fold on the present lot. The fanghu shape is derived from early bronze wares of the Shang and Zhou dynasties, while the glaze is an imitation of the Southern Song dynasty Guan glaze. Compare the present vase with its Song prototype, a small Guan vase with canted corners in the Freer Gallery of Art, Washington D.C., illustrated in Oriental Ceramics, Kodansha Series, Japan, 1981, vol. 9, Japan, 1987, no. 960; and another sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 30 May 2005, lot 1513.