QIANLONG INCISED SIX-CHARACTER SEAL MARK AND OF THE PERIOD (1736-1795)

The jar-like shape of this vase, with its tapering ovoid body and lipped rim above the neck, appears to be a very rare shape in Qing monochromes. No other vase of this shape with a teadust glaze appears to have been published. The shape may be derived from jars of late Ming date which have the same ovoid body that tapers to the foot, and a short neck below the lipped rim. One such jar is a yellow-glazed example of Jiajing date (1522-1566) in the Qing Court collection, illustrated in The Complete Treasures of the Palace Museum - 37 - Monochrome Porcelain, Hong Kong 1999, p. 47, pl. 42, where it is described as having "veiled" (faintly incised) decoration of phoenix and crane flying amidst flowers, and which is of slightly smaller size (28.5 cm.). Another jar of similar shape, also of late Ming, Longqing (1567-1572), date, engraved with dragons amidst clouds under a yellow glaze, is illustrated by Soame Jenyns in Ming Pottery and Porcelain, London, 1953, pl. 95.