清乾隆

This hu form is evidently inspired by the Zhou dynasty bronze of this imposing form and with strapwork design, the rich colour and texture of the teadust glaze also works exceptionally well in accentuating the theme of archaism. Apart from the teadust glaze, the same form was also produced in a variety of glazes, particularly those imitating Song period glazes such as Ge and Ru-type. The present lot was a copy of the Yongzheng teadust-glazed prototype, of which an example with identical features, formerly in the collection of the T.Y. Chao Private and Family Trust, was sold at Sotheby's Hong Kong, 19 May 1987, lot 295.

Cf. a Qianlong teadust-glazed vase with impressed mark of this form but with bird-head handles in the National Palace Museum, Taiwan, included in the travelling Exhibition of Chinese Art Treasures, U.S.A., 1961-2, illustrated in the Catalogue, no. 198; and another sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 28 November 2006, lot 1585.