Lot 1759. A rare Guan-type square vase, Qianlong six-character seal mark in underglaze blue and of the period (1736-1795); 10 in. (25.4 cm.) high. Estimate USD 80,000 - USD 120,000. Price realised USD 602,500. © Christie's Images Ltd 2011. 

Of square section, raised on a splayed foot with an iron-washed foot ring, the body encircled by seven bow-string bands, the straight sides rising to a canted shoulder that continues into the short neck, each corner of the shoulder set with an additional spout, covered with a thick pale grey glaze suffused with a network of dark grey and pale brown crackle.

Note: Both the Yongzheng and Qianlong emperors had a great love of antiquity, and wares were made for them that echoed the wares of earlier periods. The shape of the present lot brings to mind the multi-spouted jars of the Song dynasty such as the one illustrated by R. Kerr in Song Dynasty Ceramics, London, 2004. p. 90, pl. 91, which is of circular section, but also has four spouts rising from the shoulder.

Christie's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art Part I and Part II Including Property from the Arthur M. Sackler Collections, New York, 24 March 2011