Asian Art Auction

June 08, 2015

LOT 197

Lot 197

Rare Guan-Type Fang Hu Vase, Tongzhi Mark and Period (1862-1874)

Rare Guan-Type Fang Hu Vase, Tongzhi Mark and Period (1862-1874)
Lot 197 Details
Rare Guan-Type Fang Hu Vase, Tongzhi Mark and Period (1862-1874)

The two broad sides decorated with a peach-shaped relief panel and flanked on either side of the narrowed neck with a pair of rectangular lug handles, covered with an overall crackle celadon glaze suffused with a wide network of dark grey crackle patterning, the base of the foot with a dark glaze
height 12.2" — 31.1 cm.
Tongzhi six-character underglazed mark to base

Estimate $8,000-$12,000

Realised: $31,200
Price Includes Buyer's Premium ?

Lot Report

Additional Images
Rare Guan-Type Fang Hu Vase, Tongzhi Mark and Period (1862-1874)
  • Rare Guan-Type Fang Hu Vase, Tongzhi Mark and Period (1862-1874)
  • Rare Guan-Type Fang Hu Vase, Tongzhi Mark and Period (1862-1874)
  • Rare Guan-Type Fang Hu Vase, Tongzhi Mark and Period (1862-1874)
  • Rare Guan-Type Fang Hu Vase, Tongzhi Mark and Period (1862-1874)
  • Rare Guan-Type Fang Hu Vase, Tongzhi Mark and Period (1862-1874)
  • Rare Guan-Type Fang Hu Vase, Tongzhi Mark and Period (1862-1874)
Provenance:

The Estate of of Barbara Fincham née Swinson (1926-2014), Toronto and Los Angeles. Purchased in L.A. during the early 1950’s and appraised by Sotheby’s during the 1970’s. Thence by descent within the family.

Note:

The current vase reflects the interest in archaism during the Qing Dynasty through form and glaze. Form-wise, the vase is based on square-shaped bronze vessels from the Shang and Zhou Dynasties. The glaze is a revival of Song Dynasty Guan ware, which usually consists of a pale blue tone and large black and gold crackles throughout.

Archaism flourished within the Qing Dynasty kilns of Jingdezhen during the reign of Emperor Qianlong (1736-1795). During this time, many imitation Song wares were introduced such as Ge, Guan, Ru, and Longguan. Guan-type wares were one of the more desirable categories of Song-revival porcelain.

According to the Emperor Qianlong's Imperial poem, 'After Chaiyao, Guanyao (Guan-ware) is the finest quality ware - exceptionally rare and difficult to fire'. This ode to Guan ware was documented in ‘The Imperial Workshop Diary’ and also incised to the base of a small Guan-type fanghu from the Earl and Irene Morse Collection, and sold at Christie's New York, September 15, 2009, lot 355.

The trend of archaism in the 18th century continued through the rest of the Qing Dynasty. However, Song-style vases from the Tongzhi reign are rare due to the emperor’s short reign (1862-1874). A pair of similar vases was sold at Christie’s New York, September 19, 2013, lot 1343.

CONDITION DETAILS

For condition information please contact the specialist.

LOT 197
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About Condition Ratings

  • 5 Stars: Excellent - No discernable damage, flaws or imperfections
  • 4 Stars: Very Good - Minor flaws or imperfections visible only under close inspection using specialised instruments or black light
  • 3 Stars: Good - Minor flaws visible upon inspection under standard lighting
  • 2 Stars: Fair - Exhibits flaws or damage that may draw the eye under standard lighting
  • 1 Star: Poor - Flaws or damage immediately apparent under standard lighting (examples: missing components, rips, broken glass, damaged surfaces, etc.)

Note: Condition ratings and condition details are the subjective opinions of our specialists and should be used as a guide only. Waddington’s uses due care when preparing condition details, however, our staff are not professional restorers or conservators. Condition details and reports are not warranties and each lot is sold “as is” in accordance with the buyer’s terms and conditions of sale. In all cases the prospective purchaser is responsible for inspecting the property themselves prior to placing a bid.