A RARE CELADON-GLAZED SIX-NECKED VASE (LIUKONGPING) QIANLONG SEAL MARK AND PERIOD

superbly potted with five outer baluster-form bodies enclosing the inner central and tallest vase, rising to narrow cylindrical necks, each with a single raised filet and terminating in an everted mouth and tapering to form a joined base, covered overall in a vitreous pale sea-green celadon glaze, seal mark in underglaze blue, wood stand (2)

Collection of Sir Edmund Rathbone Bacon (1846-1915), New York.
Collection of Robert May Esq., Amsterdam.
John Sparks Ltd., London, 29th January 1964.

Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, Catalogue Number 411 (according to invoice).

One of the outer vases has an area of overpaint to the exterior rim which appears to cover a small filled rim chip. One of the other vases has a smaller area of overpaint on the exterior which covers a very small rim chip. There an iron spot on the shoulder of the central vase, another lighter iron spot on the shoulder between two vases, and another very light iron spot on the shoulder of one exterior vase, otherwise the glaze is of even color, typically pooling darker above the molded bands on the necks, on the shoulders and in the areas where the vases join.
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 statement 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.

This type of rare vase appears to have been made for imperial use during both the Yongzheng and Qianlong periods. Of the few known Qianlong examples, two have been previously sold at Replica Shoes 's, one with incised decoration in these rooms, 18th September 1996, lot 225 and another in our Hong Kong rooms, 5th-6th November 1996, lot 862.  A similar example with a plain celadon glaze of slightly smaller dimension is illustrated in Chinese Porcelain, The S.C. Ko Tianminlou Collection, Hong Kong, 1987, pl. 149, and another example in the Art Institute of Chicago was included in the Exhibition of Chinese Ceramics, Los Angeles County Museum, 1952, Catalogue, no. 366. A vase with a sky-blue glaze is illustrated in Treasures in the Royalty, The Official Kiln Porcelain of the Chinese Qing Dynasty, Shanghai, 2003, p. 326. A similar vase with a teadust glaze preserved in the National Palace Taiwan is illustrated in Catalog of the Special Exhibition of K'ang-hsi, Yung-cheng and Ch'ien-lung Porcelain Ware from the Ch'ing Dynasty in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, 1986, p. 123, no. 96.