Lot 2919. A fine blue and white ‘Ming-style’ bottle vase, Qianlong six-character seal mark in underglaze blue and of the period (1736-1795); 14 3⁄4 in. (37.5 cm.) high. Price realised HKD 2,125,000 (Estimate HKD 1,200,000 - HKD 1,800,000). © Christie's 2021

The globular body is decorated with a band of composite floral scrolls above stylised lappets, all below a band of ruyi-heads and a further floral band to the shoulder. The neck is decorated with stiff leaves below a band of crashing waves enclosing the mouth rim.

Provenance: The Y.C. Chen (1932-2012) Collection
Sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 31 May 2010, lot 1999.

Note: Four vases of this pattern are illustrated by J. Ayers and R. Krahl, Chinese Ceramics in the Topkapi Saray Museum, Istanbul, vol. III, London, 1986, p. 1105, no. 2564; where they have been fitted with metal mounts to suit Ottoman use. Other examples include one illustrated in Qingdai Ciqi Shangjian, Hong Kong, 1994, pl. 165; one from the Shanghai Museum, illustrated in Zhongguo Taoci Quanji, part 2, vol. 15, Shanghai, 2000, pl. 2; and one from the Toguri collection, sold at Sotheby's London, 9 June 2004, lot 5.

Christie's. Important Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, Hong Kong, 3 Dec 2021