a rare pair of imperial yellow-glazed 'fu' and covers Qing dynasty, 19th century

each vessel of trapezoidal shape with straight flared sides, supported on splayed bracket feet with arch-shaped apertures on all sides, a keyfret border dividing the vessel from the foot, the shape of the cover echoing the body of the vessel, the exterior of the body molded with archaistic dragons amongst clouds with square scrolls, the vessel flanked by animal-head loop handles accentuated with C-motifs, the cover with smaller loop handles, all below an undulating flared crown, the rich egg-yolk-yellow-glaze applied throughout and pooling to a deeper tone in the recesses (4)

All in good condition. One of the small corners of the crown on the cover has been repainted. The other cover has dark speckles to the glaze. One of the vessels has a 1/4 inch firing flaw across the rim. The opposite end of the rim with a small repainted section. The other vessel has a 3 1/2 inch hairline crack across two sides of the interior. There is also a small semi-circular 1/8 inch firing flaw to the upper corner of the interior. The exterior has a V-shaped hairline crack spanning two sides, the entire flaw 7 inches long. The rim with a small saddle-chip 3/8 inch long.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any stat.mes nt made by Replica Shoes 's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Although yellow-glazed ritual vessels are rare, a similar fu incised with a Qianlong seal mark was sold at Christie's London, 5th June 1995, lot 182, and again, 4th December 1995, lot 173. Another similar example with a Guangxu mark, was sold in our London rooms, 12th June 1990, lot 303.

See lot 144 for a discussion on yellow-glazed ritual vessels.