Lot 2567. A fine small Ru-type vase, fanghu, Qianlong six-character sealmark and of the period (1736-1795); 4 5/8 in. (11.7 cm.) high. Estimate HKD 200,000 - HKD 300,000. Price realised HKD 225,000. © Christie's Images Ltd 2008.

The pear-shaped body of rectangular section with chamfered corners rising from a low straight foot, the neck flanked with two tubular handles, applied thickly overall with an unctuous glaze of even pale grey colour with slight blue tinge, the neatly cut, unglazed foot ring with a dark purplish-brown dressing, wood stand, Japanese wood box.

Exhibited: Osaka Municipal Museum, September 23-November 3, 1997, Sencha, Bi to sono Katachi, Tea Ceremony, Beauty and its Form, Catalogue, no. 247

Note: Two similar vases with Guan-type glaze are published, the first from the National Palace Museum, Taipei, was included in the monochrome exhibition, Qingdai Danseyou Ciqi, illustrated in the Catalogue, 1981, p. 149, no. 89; and the other from the Art Gallery, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, is illustrated in Ming Imperial Porcelain, Hong Kong, 1995, no. 63.