Lot Essay
The hu shape is an archaistic bronze form which was avidly copied in ceramic during the Qianlong period. On the present lot, as on other comparable pieces, the emulation of the bronze prototype is further exemplified by the suspended ring handles which are interpreted as integral with the body on the ceramic vases.
See a fanghu vase decorated with confronting phoenix and bearing a Qianlong mark, in the collection of the Palace Museum, Beijing, illustrated in Blue and White Porcelain with Underglazed Red (III), The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum, Hong Kong, 2000, pl. 176.
See a closely related copper-red decorated 'bats and clouds' cong vase, also bearing a Qianlong six-character mark, from the W.W. Winkworth collection, sold in Christie's Hong Kong, 26 November 2014, lot 3262. Also see a Ming-style copper-red decorated Qianlong meiping vase, sold in Christie's Hong Kong, 1 December 2009, lot 1887.
See a fanghu vase decorated with confronting phoenix and bearing a Qianlong mark, in the collection of the Palace Museum, Beijing, illustrated in Blue and White Porcelain with Underglazed Red (III), The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum, Hong Kong, 2000, pl. 176.
See a closely related copper-red decorated 'bats and clouds' cong vase, also bearing a Qianlong six-character mark, from the W.W. Winkworth collection, sold in Christie's Hong Kong, 26 November 2014, lot 3262. Also see a Ming-style copper-red decorated Qianlong meiping vase, sold in Christie's Hong Kong, 1 December 2009, lot 1887.