Lot 3707. A fine blue-glazed square vase, cong, Qianlong six-character sealmark and of the period (1736-1795); 11 1/2 in. (29.2 cm.) high. Estimate HKD 150,000 - HKD 250,000. Price realised HKD 680,000. © Christie's Images Ltd 2011

The rectangular body of archaistic form with characteristic circular foot ring and mouth rim, applied with a pair of moulded elephant-heads, each suspending a mock ring-handle, covered in a lustrous, dark violet-blue glaze, thinning to a lighter blue on extremities, wood stand, Japanese wood box.

Provenance: Acquired in Kyoto prior to World War II.

Note: A Qianlong-marked blue-glazed cong vase of approximately the same size in the National Palace Museum Collection, Taipei, was included in the National Palace Museum Exhibition of Qing Monochromes, Taipei, 1981, Catalogue no. 55.

Christie's. Important Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, Hong Kong, HKCEC Grand Hall, 1 June 2011