QIANLONG SIX-CHARACTER SEAL MARK IN UNDERGLAZE BLUE AND POSSIBLY OF THE PERIOD

The design of this type of ewer is inspired by similar blue and white porcelain ewers from the early 15th century. A Ming dynasty example bearing a Xuande reign mark (AD 1426-35) in the Palace Museum is illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum, Blue and White Porcelain with Underglazed Red (I), Hong Kong, 2000, p. 121, no. 115. The shape of these early 15th century ewers was influenced by Near Eastern metalwork.

A similar Qianlong marked example was sold at Christie’s New York, 19 September 2006, lot 307; another example at Christie’s London, 8 June 2004, lot 332.