A rare miniature tea-dust-glazed hu-form vase, Qianlong four-character inscribed seal mark and of the period (1736-1795). Estimate $20,000 – $30,000. Photo Christie's Image Ltd 2015

The well-potted vase is covered overall with a smooth glaze of dark khaki-green color that thins on the edges of the rim and lug handles. The mark is covered with a brownish glaze, and the bottom of the foot is covered with a black dressing. 4 in. (10.2 cm.) high, box

Note: Whilst considerably larger examples are known, the exceptionally small size of the present vase suggests that it was a novelty piece, and probably made for a treasure box or a small display cabinet. Two other vases of this diminutive size and hu shape are known, the first, dated to the Kangxi period, from the Samuel T. Peters Collection, was sold at Christie's New York, 29-30 November 1984, lot 240; and the other, which has a Chenghua mark, but is dated to the Yongzheng period, from the Riesco Collection, is illustrated in 'The Arts of the Ch'ing Dynasty', Transactions of the Oriental Ceramic Society, vol. 35, 1963-64, pl. 94, no. 281. 
The present vase is accompanied by a short note indicating that it was identified and appraised in 1970 at the Chicago Art Institute.

Christie's. FINE CHINESE CERAMICS AND WORKS OF ART, 17 - 18 September 2015, New York, Rockefeller Plaza