QIANLONG SIX-CHARACTER SEAL MARK IN UNDERGLAZE BLUE AND OF THE PERIOD (1736-1795)

Compare the vase of this shape with Qianlong mark and a Ru-type glaze illustrated in Qing Imperial Monochromes: The Zande Lou Collection, Hong Kong, 2005, no. 28. Another Qianlong-marked vase of this shape, with a Ge-type glaze, was sold at Sotheby's Hong Kong, 20 May 1986, lot 83. Rather than the golden crackle of the Guan-type glaze of the present vase, the pale ash-grey glaze of this vase has dark-stained crackle. The Guan-type glaze can also be seen on a taller (21.9 cm.) vase of this shape, with Yongzheng mark, sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 27 May 2009, lot 1888. Like the present vase, these three vases also have a dark dressing on the foot, in imitation of Song-dynasty monochrome wares. Vases of this shape with their Song-style glazes were likely inspired by Song-dynasty prototypes, such as the Southern Song Guanyao vase in the British Museum, illustrated in Oriental Ceramics, The World's Great Collections, vol. 5, Tokyo, 1981, col. pl. 24.