Lot 497. A large blue and white 'Lotus' hu, Qianlong seal mark and period (1736-1795); 45cm., 17 3/4 in. Estimate 60,000 - 80,000 GBP. Lot sold 169,250 GBP. Photo Sotheby's

the pear-shaped body rising from a short spreading foot to a short waisted flaring neck flanked by scrolling handles, painted around the exterior in rich cobalt-blue tones with a broad scrolling lotus band, all between ruyi, lotus-lappet and classic scroll bands, the neck with a band of shou medallions on a wan ground, the base with seal mark in underglaze-blue, carved wood stand.  

Provenance: Collection of Marchese Giuseppe Salvago Raggi, by descent.

Note: A Aclosely related vase in the Shanghai Museum, Shanghai, is illustrated in Selected Ceramics from the Collection of Mr and Mrs J.M. Hu, Shanghai, 1989, pl. 62; another is included in Geng Baochang, Ming Qing ciqi jianding, Hong Kong, 1993, pl. 455; one of a pair from the T.Y. Chai collection, sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 19th May 1987, lot 272, was included in the exhibition Ch'ing Porcelain from the Wah Kwong Collection, The Art Gallery, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 1973, cat. no. 68; and a fourth example was sold in our New York rooms, 19th September 2002, lot 148.

Sotheby's. Fine Chinese Ceramics & Works of Art, London, 7 November 2012