Lot 1352. A very rare flambé-glazed vase, Yongzheng incised four-character sealmark and of the period (1723-1735); 13 5/8 in. (34.6 cm.) high. Estimate HKD 300,000 - HKD 400,000. Price realised HKD 960,000. © Christie's Images Ltd 2006.

The hu-shaped vase strongly potted with an angled shoulder moulded with raised double ribs, repeated on the lower body at the angle before slanting towards the double stepped foot, the base of the broad waisted neck with another set of concentric raised ribs, covered with a rich dark red glaze streaked in areas with purple and lavender-blue, and a pale creamy-brown at the galleried mouth rim, the base with a dappled brown and olive-green glaze.

Note: A similar vase, possibly this one, was sold at Sotheby's Hong Kong, 20 May 1987, lot 485. No other flambé-glazed vase of this form appears to be published. Compare, instead, to a closely related Yongzheng-marked vase with moulded ruyi on the shoulder and handles, sold at Sotheby's Hong Kong 25 April 2004, lot 255.

Compare two other Qianlong vases of the same form but covered in teadust glazes, the first in the Tokyo National Museum, illustrated in Oriental Ceramics, vol. 1, Kodansha Series, Japan, 1982, no. 293; and the other illustrated by J. Ayers, Chinese Ceramics in the Baur Collection, Vol 2, Geneva, 1999, pl. 296, where the author states that the form apparently derives from that of an archaic bronze yu, which is equipped with an overhead swing handle. Cf. also a ru-type glazed vase of this form sold in these Rooms, 1 November 2004, lot 804.

Christie's. Important Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, Hong Kong, 30 May 2006