Antiquity and Perfection of the Imperial Chinese Ceramics

[Pierre Tavlitzki]

For centuries, or even for millennia, the Imperial manufactories of ceramics produced masterpieces for the emperors of China.

Sold by Christie's in Hong Kong on May 27, a vase manufactured 250 years ago may claim a much older tradition: its form of an amphora reproduces an antique Tang.

The price is not indicated in the catalog, but its shape is perfect and its decoration in cobalt blue on white, divided into nine parallel rings of unequal widths, is particularly exquisite. It measures 32 cm high including the two handles with dragon heads.

Better still, this vase bears under its base the six-character Qianlong mark. This is the only known specimen of this description under Qianlong. We may think that it dates from the beginning of the reign, because two similar vases of the Yongzheng period are known. It does not escape you that Yongzheng was the father of Qianlong.

[Pierre Tavlitzki]

The price of a ceramic of top quality: 30 MHK $ including premium.

I always hesitate to discuss the lots whose estimate is not communicated to the public, but it was clear that this vase had all the potential to appeal to fans of Chinese imperial ceramics.