Lot 2911. A rare large blue and white ‘lotus scroll’ hexagonal vase, Qianlong six-character seal mark in underglaze blue and of the period (1736-1795); 26 ¾ in. (68 cm.) high. Estimate HKD 4,500,000 - HKD 6,500,000 (USD 578,002 - USD 834,892). Price realised HKD 5,525,000. © Christie's Images Ltd 2019  

The vase is sturdily potted and decorated in cobalt blue of brilliant sapphire tones with two broad lotus scrolls on the neck and body, separated by bands of trefoil, keyfret, classic scroll and ruyi-heads. The mouth is decorated with pendent blades below a keyfret band. The foot is encircled with a lotus lappet band above a wave and keyfret border.  

Provenance: Sold at Sotheby’s Hong Kong, 4 November 1996, lot 820. 

Note: While Qianlong-marked blue and white hexagonal vases are known, very few examples are decorated with lotus scrolls across the body and neck like the current vase. Most surviving examples are decorated with detached sprays of fruits and flowers, such as lot 2918 in this sale, and the one illustrated in Geng Baochang, Ming Qing Ciqi Jianding, Qingdai bufen, fig. 146.

Only very few closely related examples are known, including one sold at Sotheby’s Hong Kong, 4 April 2012, lot 3239; and one sold at Sotheby’s Hong Kong, 23 October 2005, lot 357.

A fine and rare large blue and white hexagonal vase, Seal mark and period of Qianlong (1736-1795); 68 cm., 26 3/4 in. Sold for 8,420,000 HKD at Sotheby’s Hong Kong, 4 April 2012, lot 3239. Courtesy Sotheby's

A large blue and white hexagonal vase, seal mark and period of Qianlong (1736-1795); 68cm., 26 3/4 in. Sold for 2,136,000 HKD at Sotheby’s Hong Kong, 23 October 2005, lot 357. Courtesy Sotheby's