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

The rich cobalt blue seen on the current vase is sometimes referred to as 'sacrificial blue'. This name derives from the use of vessels bearing this coloured glaze during sacrifices at the Imperial Altar of Heaven in the Ming dynasty. However, it has been noted that during the Qing dynasty these massive vases were made as part of decorative furnishings for the Palace. Compare to one in the National Palace Museum collection, accession number: zhongci 001552N000000000. Another example included in the exhibition, The Wonders of the Potter's Palette, Hong Kong Museum of Art, 1984, no. 85. Compare also to a Yongzheng mark and period sacrificial-blue glazed tianqiuping, formerly in the Wang Xing Lou collection, later sold at Christie’s Hong Kong, 30 May 2022, lot 2712.