A FINE MOULDED CELADON-GLAZED 'DRAGON' VASES WITH SWASTIKA ...

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Hammer

£9,500

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A FINE MOULDED CELADON-GLAZED 'DRAGON' VASES WITH SWASTIKA
IMPRESSED QIANLONG SEAL MARK, LATE QING DYNASTY / REPUBLIC PERIOD
青釉划花螭龙纹“卍”字口瓶晚清/民国
大清乾隆年制款
the square-sectioned baluster-form vase rising from a low spreading foot to a generous midsection, the angular waisted neck with forming a rim modelled as a gilt-enriched wan-character, the sides finely moulded with an intricate central frieze of angular 'kuilong' scrollwork intertwined with meandering lotus all between lappet bands, the shoulder and neck with further 'kuilong' scrollwork, the base with an impressed six-character Qianlong seal mark, covered overall with a pale-green glaze thinning at the extremities
41cm high

PROVENANCE: From a Private European Collection
Property of a Private Californian Collector
Fa. A.C. Beeling & Zn Hofleverancier, Leeuwarden, by repute (according to label)
Missions de Scheut, Brussels, 16 February 1964
Collection of Mr. Francis W. Feeney
H.R. Hancock, London, by repute (according to label)
Canadian Private Collection
Acquired from the above, 1996.

Note: The present vase appears to relate to a select group of Imperial celadon-glazed wares, often associated with production in the Imperial kilns under the supervision of Tang Ying (1682-1756). These wares are notable for their high quality and variety of creative form and decoration. This particular subgroup of celadon-glazed wares, with decoration carved or molded in low relief, exhibit this variety of form and decoration. These often appear to be inspired by archaic wares, particularly ancient bronzes, but also the wares of the early Ming dynasty. This is evident not only in terms of form, but also in the use of decoration such as archaistic kui-dragon scrolls (angular or more organically foliate in nature), or dense lotus scrolls and lappets, in addition to the incorporation of later auspicious motifs such as Buddhist or Daoist symbols or homophonic symbols such as bats or ruyi scepters.

To date, another example of this technically difficult form has not been located. Other Qianlong mark and period celadon-glazed vases decorated with carved or molded archaistic kui-dragon scrolls are known, but none with this highly unusual wan-shaped or swastika-form mouth. Wan translates as "10,000", signifying unlimited abundance or longevity, an auspicious motif, particularly suitable for a birthday celebration or similar important event. For an elaborate celadon-glazed vase with swastika-ornamented ribbons at the shoulders, with Qianlong seal mark in relief, see "Qing Imperial Monochromes the Zande Lou Collection", Shenzhen, 2005, pp. 120-121, no 43.

For a pair of Qianlong mark and period celadon-glazed vases with lip in the form of an "Endless Knot" in the Collection of the National Palace Museum, Taipei, see "Catalogue of the Special Exhibition of K'ang-hsi, Yung-Cheng and Ch'ien-lung Porcelain ware from the Ch'ing Dynasty in the National Palace Museum", Taipei, 1993, p. 128, no 101 (one illustrated).

The decoration of these graceful lobed vases, incorporating bats and ruyi-heads is of the more curvilinear stylized manner, is similar to that found on the Qianlong mark and period vase sold at Sotheby's, Hong Kong, April 8, 2007, lot 708. For other examples incorporating angular kui-dragon scrolls, see the archaistic flask-form vase sold at Christie's, New York, March 28, 2006, lot 116, decorated with elaborate mirrored bands of kui-dragon scrolls to the neck, body and foot. For other examples of celadon-glazed vases with angular kui-dragon scrollwork in low relief, see the vases sold at Christie's, New York, March 20, 2014, lot 2181; Sotheby's, Hong Kong, April 8, 2009, lot 1652, and two similar bottle vases, sold Christie's, Hong Kong, April 8, 2011, lot 3018 and Christie's, New York, March 22, 2018, lot 771.