Lot 242. A rare flambé-glazed vase, hu, Qianlong seal mark and of the period (1736-1795); 20.5cm (8 1/8in) high. Estimate £10,000 - 15,000. Sold for £ 20,000 (€ 22,902) inc. premium. © Bonhams 2001-2018

Of archaic form, the pear-shaped body rising from a slightly spreading foot to a waisted neck encircled with a raised band and set with a pair of animal-mask handles suspending fixed rings, covered overall with a glaze of brilliant streaked purple-blue and crimson colour thinning to a lilac-blue and cream tone with a slight crackle around the lug handles and rim, the base in a coffee wash.

Provenance: Robert Everts (1875-1942), Belgian Ambassadorial Envoy to Beijing from 1910 to 1916 and again from 1920 to 1924, and thence by descent.

Note: The form and deep purplish-blue glaze colour of the present body, contrasting with the light blue of the handles, appear to be a direct inspiration from specimens produced during the reign of the Yongzheng Emperor. A flambé-glazed hu-shaped vase, Yongzheng seal-mark and of the period, in the collection of the Palace Museum, Beijing, is illustrated in Qingdai yuyao ciqi, vol.1, Beijing, pl.139. Compare also with a similar vase, Yongzheng mark and period, illustrated by R.Krahl, Chinese Ceramics from the Meiyintang Collection, vol.2, London, 1994, pl.834. 

A similar flambé-gazed hu-shaped vase, Qianlong seal mark and of the period, was sold at Sotheby's London, 9 November 2011, lot 62.

A flambé-glazed Hu-shaped vase, Qianlong seal mark and period (1736-1795); 16.5cm., 6 1/2 in. Sold for 73,250 GBP at Sotheby's London, 9 November 2011, lot 62. Photo Sotheby's

Cf. my post: A flambé-glazed Hu-shaped vase, seal mark and period (1736-1795)