A fine and rare Ge-type hu-form vase, Seal mark and period of Qianlong

The current vase, with its outstanding crackled ge-type glaze and skilful incorporation of the tassel handles, is an exceptional example of not only the Qianlong Emperor’s predilection for celebrated wares of the past—in particular the imperial wares of the Song dynasty (960-1279) and the Yongle – Xuande reigns (1403-1435) of the Ming dynasty—but also the technical developments in ceramic production as well as the creativity and level of innovation of the craftsmen working under the supervision of Tang Ying (1682-1756), Superintendent of the Imperial kilns in Jingdezhen. Under the rigorous standards that the Emperor upheld, craftsmen were prompted to search for and realise ever new designs that enabled them to showcase their technical proficiency and ability to hark back to antiquity.

The form of the vase also reflects elements borrowed from archaic bronze vessels, and the even glaze marked with an attractive matrix crackles was also inspired by the celebrated ge wares of the Song and Yuan (1279-1368) dynasties. In addition to the crackles, these archaistic vessels were dressed on the unglazed bodies with a dark brown slip, as seen on the footring of the present vase, to simulate the so-called 'iron foot' characteristic of the stoneware prototypes.

See a similar but shorter (25.7 cm) pear-shaped vase sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 29th April 2002, lot 664. For a related and relatively more commonly seen ge-type Qianlong vase, also decorated with tassel handles but potted with a different form, see one sold first in our London rooms, 12th July 2006, lot 134, and again in our New York rooms, 16th September 2009, lot 217.