YONGZHENG SEAL MARK IN UNDERGLAZE BLUE AND OF THE PERIOD (1723-1735)

The grey glaze suffused with dark grey crackle was inspired by the glazes found on Ge wares of Southern Song and Yuan date; one of the Song dynasty glazes greatly admired by the emperors of the high Qing. During the Yongzheng reign, much research and development was undertaken in order to reproduce the glazes of these wares on porcelains made at the imperial kilns at Jingdezhen. While many of these porcelains also imitate Song shapes, the form of the present hu was probably inspired by an ancient bronze vessel.

A closely related, Ge-type vase, also with a Yongzheng seal mark, and of the period, was sold at Sotheby Parke Bernet (Hong Kong), 21-22 May 1984, lot 180.