Lot 2157. A clair-de-lune glass jar, Yongzheng incised four-character mark within double-squares and of the period (1723-1735); 3 7/8 in. (9.8 cm.) high. Estimate HKD 200,000 - HKD 300,000. Price realised HKD 437,500. © Christie's Images Ltd 2012

The circular jar is supported on a splayed foot rising to a short waisted neck and lipped rim. The material is of an even pale bluish-white tone.

Provenance: A distinguished South African Collection, acquired in London in the 1960s-70s  

Note: The Qing Court Records list 30 different colours of monochrome glass made by the Imperial Workshops during the Yongzheng period, including the clair-de-lune on the present lot, see Zhang Rong, Luster of Autumn Water: Glass of Qing Imperial Workshop, Beijing, 2005, p. 15. The author also states that Yongzheng-marked glass, predominantly monochrome, are very rare with only 21 pieces in the collection of the Beijing Palace Museum, and under 100 pieces in other collections.

Compare to a Yongzheng-marked yellow glass jar of the similar shape but smaller size (3.8 cm high) in the Beijing Palace Museum, op. cit., pl. 8.