The theme of archaism is represented two-fold on the present lot. Firstly, the glaze is of the most desirable tone of bluish-green, in imitation of the famous Longquan celadon glazes of the Southern Song dynasty. Secondly, the shape follows that of the archaic bronze gu. This elegant shape is also found on a few rare Southern Song wares with the Longquan celadon glaze, and it is more likely that the Yongzheng gu is attempting to emulate the Song vase than the bronze example. Compare the Southern Song Longquan celadon vase of this form from the W. W. Winkworth collection, sold at Sotheby's London, 12 December 1972, lot 19; the gu with moulded flanges, illustrated by J. Ayers, The Baur Collection Geneva, Chinese Ceramics, vol. 1, 1968, no. A102; and another illustrated by R. L. Hobson, A Catalogue of Chinese Pottery and Porcelain in the Collection of Sir Percival David Bt., F. S. A., London, 1934, pl. XLIII.

The present vase is very simply decorated in order to best display the attractive colour of the glaze. Beaker vases of comparable shape and with Yongzheng marks, covered in ru-type glazes have been published, such as the one included in the exhibition Qing Imperial Porcelain, Nanjing Museum and the Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1995, illustrated in the Catalogue, no. 35.