A langyao bottle vase, Kangxi period (1662-1722)

26 septembre 2017

A langyao bottle vase, Kangxi period (1662-1722)

Lot 1239. A langyao bottle vase, Kangxi period (1662-1722), 11 5/8 in. (29.6 cm.) high. Estimate USD 60,000 - USD 80,000. Price realised USD 225,000. © Christie's Images Ltd 2017

The compressed body and foot are covered in a faintly crackled rich ruby-red glaze that pales to a greenish-white color below the rim of the neck. The greyish-white glaze of the interior and base have a more pronounced network of crackle, cloth box.

Provenance: J. M. Hu (1911-1995) Collection, acquired in Shanghai in the 1930s-1940s.

Literature: H. D. Ling and E. T. Chow, Collection of Chinese Ceramics from the Pavilion of Ephemeral Attainment, vol. II, Hong Kong, 1950, pl. 91.

Note: The term langyao, ‘lang wares’, derives its name from Lang Tingji, director of the official kilns at Jingdezhen between 1705-1712, who is credited with the revival of monochrome glazes and particularly copper-red glazes. The copper-red color is often considered the most challenging to regulate during the firing process as exactly the right conditions are required within the kiln to achieve the rich tones demonstrated by the present lot. Although copper-red was used successfully in the Ming dynasty, particularly in the Xuande period, the copper-red monochrome glazes seen in the Qing dynasty became even more refined and were of an exceptionally even and vibrant tone. The fine glaze and elegant form of the present vase exemplifies the skill of the Chinese potters under Lang Tingji.

Typical forms of langyao vases include a long-necked bottle vase form and a tall, high-shoulderd vase, known as Guanyin zun. The present langyao vase has a particularly rare and elegant form. A langyao vase of similar form formerly in the Collection of Robert Hatfield Ellsworth was sold at Christie’s New York, 19 March 2015, lot 420. Compare, also, the langyao vase of similar form, but with reduced, metal-bound rim and inscribed on the base with a poem by the Qianlong Emperor, sold at Sotheby’s Hong Kong, 5 October 2016, lot 3648.

A langyao bottle vase, China, Qing dynasty, Kangxi period (1662-1722) formerly in the Collection of Robert Hatfield Ellsworth, 15 7/8 in. (41.3 cm.) high. Sold for USD 87,500 at Christie’s New York, 19 March 2015, lot 420. © Christie's Images Ltd 2015

Thickly potted with compressed globular body and tall cylindrical neck, covered on the exterior with a glaze of deep strawberry color, in contrast to the white rim, the glaze on the interior suffused with a faint crackle.

An inscribed 'Langyao' red-glazed truncated bottle neck vase, Qing dynasty, Kangxi period, dated to the yiwei year (in accordance with 1775), inscribed on the base with a poem by the Qianlong Emperor. Sold for 1,875,000 HKD at Sotheby’s Hong Kong, 5 October 2016, lot 3648. Photo: Sothebys.

(Cf. my post An inscribed 'Langyao' red-glazed truncated bottle neck vase, Qing dynasty, Kangxi period, yiwei year (in accordance with 1775)

Christie's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, 14 - 15 September 2017, New York