A FINE AND RARE IMPERIAL BLUE AND WHITE 'CHILONG' BALUSTER J...

Hammer

£160,000

A FINE AND RARE IMPERIAL BLUE AND WHITE 'CHILONG' BALUSTER JAR
KANGXI SIX CHARACTER MARK AND OF THE PERIOD
清 康熙 青花夔龙纹罐 大清康熙年制 (1662-1722)
the sides finely painted in tones of underglaze blue with two stylised chilong-dragons above a band of upright blades flanked by stylised archaistic phoenix and lotus blooms
15cm high

PROVENANCE: From a Private Dorset Family Collection.

NOTE: This vase was produced by the Qing imperial kiln during the Kangxi period, functioning as both a decorative vessel and exemplifying extreme rarity, both historically and in contemporary contexts. Presently, only two comparable specimens are housed in the collections of the National Palace Museum in Beijing and Taipei. This vase epitomizes high quality and is noted for its excellent condition. The design features a straight mouth, a short neck, and a tapered body, all rendered in an elegant silhouette. The glaze is characterized by a firm and lustrous finish. The shoulders of the jar are embellished with two Kui dragons, strategically positioned—one in the front and one in the rear—that encircle the piece. The claws, tails, and beards of the Kui dragons are stylized in "lingzhi" form, effectively conveying a dynamic sense of movement. Additionally, a series of eight Kui phoenix patterns are depicted near the base, intersecting to evoke the imagery of lotus flowers. The overall composition is coherent and distinctive, with the painting marked by precision and smoothness. The blue dragons achieve a striking balance against the surrounding white space, complemented by a double-ring mark inscribed with “Da Qing Kangxi Nian Zhi,” which serves to underscore the exquisite craftsmanship characteristic of the Kangxi imperial kilns. 

Two comparable examples from the Palace Museum collection : 

A similar one was published in 'The Forbidden Palace Museum Collection of The Qing Imperial Porcelain' Volume 1, 2005, pages 154-155, image No.43 

Another similar example can be found in the Palace Museum Taipei, No. 004969N000000000 中瓷.

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More Information

Good condition. Small glaze firing fault around the neck join. Possibly an extremely minute underside foot rim nick.