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Lot Essay
The shape of these large Qianlong flasks is based on Ming-dynasty fifteenth-century prototypes, which had one decorated, convex side and a flat, unglazed side with a countersunk medallion in the center. For a Yongle (1403-1424) example, see the flask in the Freer Gallery of Art, illustrated in Oriental Ceramics, The World's Great Collections, vol. 9, Tokyo, 1981, no. 94. These fifteenth-century blue and white flasks were themselves based on silver-inlaid brass prototypes.
For other similar Qianlong blue and white vases see Zhongguo Li Dai Jingdezhen Ci Qi - Qing Juan, Beijing, 1998, p. 169, from the Nanjing Museum; Sekai toji zenshu, vol. 15, Tokyo, 1983, pl. 151; M. Beurdeley and G. Raindre, Qing Porcelain, London, 1987, pl. 154, formerly in the Edward Chow Collection; and Porcelain of the National Palace Museum, Blue and White Ware of the Ch'ing Dynasty, Book II, Hong Kong, 1968, pl. 15. One is illustrated in The Tsui Museum of Art: Chinese Ceramics IV - Qing Dynasty, Hong Kong, 1995, pl. 75. And another from the Robert Murray Bell and Ann Walker Bell Collection is illustrated by P. F. Ferguson, Cobalt Treasures, Gardiner Museum of Ceramic Art, Toronto, 2003, no. 28. See, also, two examples sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 28 May 2014, lot 3439 and 1 December 2010, lot 2826.
For other similar Qianlong blue and white vases see Zhongguo Li Dai Jingdezhen Ci Qi - Qing Juan, Beijing, 1998, p. 169, from the Nanjing Museum; Sekai toji zenshu, vol. 15, Tokyo, 1983, pl. 151; M. Beurdeley and G. Raindre, Qing Porcelain, London, 1987, pl. 154, formerly in the Edward Chow Collection; and Porcelain of the National Palace Museum, Blue and White Ware of the Ch'ing Dynasty, Book II, Hong Kong, 1968, pl. 15. One is illustrated in The Tsui Museum of Art: Chinese Ceramics IV - Qing Dynasty, Hong Kong, 1995, pl. 75. And another from the Robert Murray Bell and Ann Walker Bell Collection is illustrated by P. F. Ferguson, Cobalt Treasures, Gardiner Museum of Ceramic Art, Toronto, 2003, no. 28. See, also, two examples sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 28 May 2014, lot 3439 and 1 December 2010, lot 2826.