Lot 1799. A Guan-type compressed vase, Qianlong six-character sealmark and of the period (1736-1795); 8½ in. (21.5 cm.) high. Estimate HKD 800,000 - HKD 1,200,000. Price Realized: HKD 1,327,500. © Christie's Image Ltd 2008.

The well potted compressed body rising to a tall cylindrical neck with a lipped mouth rim, covered overall in simulated Guan-type glaze of pale ash-grey tone with dark stained wide crackle, the reign mark in underglaze-blue, box. 

Note: Previously sold at Sotheby's Hong Kong, 20 May 1986, lot 83.

For the Song prototype compare the Southern Song guanyao vase of very similar size and form in the British Museum, illustrated in Oriental Ceramics, The World's Great Collection, vol. 5, 1981, col. pl. 24.

A Qianlong-marked vase of the same size and form, but covered with a tea-dust glaze, is illustrated in The Baur Collection, Geneva, 1972, vol. III, no. A392, together with a slightly smaller 'clair-de-lune' vase with Kangxi mark, no. 317.

Christie's. Hong Kong. Important Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art. 27 May 2008