Lot 3216. A rare Ru-type glazed hu-form vase, Qianlong six-character seal mark in underglaze blue and of the period (1736-1795). Estimate HK$1,800,000 – HK$2,600,000 (US$232,820 - $336,295). Photo Christie's Image Ltd 2016.

Of archaic hu-form, the vase is sturdily potted with an ovoid body rising from a splayed foot to a gently flaring mouth, the neck is flanked by a pair of handles each in the form of a mythical animal, tianlu. The exterior is moulded in relief with raised strapwork centred by four diamond-shaped recesses. The vase is covered overall in an even, greyish-blue Ru-type glaze, with the exception of the foot rim covered by a brown dressing. 13 ¾ in. (34.8 cm.) high 

Provenance: Sold at Sotheby’s Hong Kong, 10 April 2006, lot 1624

Note: The current form is inspired by Western Zhou archaic bronze vessel, such as a zun illustrated in Xiqing gujian, juan 8 (fig. 1). It was first adopted on porcelain during the Yongzheng period in a variety of glaze colours including Guan-type, Ge-type, celadon, blue, teadust and in blue and white. For a similar Qianlong-marked Ru-type glazed vase, see an example illustrated by Reginal Krahl, Chinese Ceramics in the Meiyintang Collection, vol. 2, London, 1994, no. 873. 

fig. 1 Zhou Fu Ji zun, ‘zun made for Father Ji, Zhou Dynasty’, illustrated in Xiqing gujian, juan 8.

Christie's. THE IMPERIAL SALE / IMPORTANT CHINESE CERAMICS & WORKS OF ART, 1 June 2016, Convention Hall