Lot 3054. A fine ru-type vase, hu, Seal mark and period of Qianlong (1736-1795); 14.2 cm, 5 5/8  in. Estimate 400,000 -- 600,000 HKD. Lot sold 600,000 HKD. Photo: Sotheby's 2013.

of archaic hu form, the pear-shaped octagonal body rising from a straight foot to a tapered neck flanked by two small lug handles, finely applied overall with a fine caesious-coloured glaze slightly draining to pale grey around the rim and lugs in imitation of the Song dynasty Ru guanyao ware, the base inscribed in underglaze blue with a six-character seal mark

Note: The Qianlong Emperor is famous for his fondness for Imperial stonewares of the Song dynasty (960-1279) and adorned many of the pieces with his poems that had been inspired by them. Under his reign, glazes imitating Jun, Ding, guan, Ge and Ru wares, the five ‘official’ wares of the Song dynasty, were created to cover a range of carefully selected forms like in the present piece. The high level of skill in ‘recreating’ every aspect of Song ware is evidenced in the foot which has been left unglazed and stained dark brown to imitate the prototype. 

Sotheby's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, Hong Kong, 08 oct. 2013