14.5 cm. (5 3/4 in.) high

Raised on a straight circular foot, the slightly compressed globular body rising to a straight neck, plainly decorated and covered overall in a pale but delicately rich sky blue glaze resembling that of Song period Ru wares, the recessed base with an imperial six-character zhuanshu seal mark written in underglaze blue.The Qianlong emperor is well-known for his admiration and fondness for imperial ceramics of the Song dynasty (AD 960-1279), where he draws his inspiration from by learning and imitating the ancient ways or fanggu. During his reign, the Qianlong emperor has expressed his reverence not only by collecting and sometimes inscribing poems on them but also commissioned by imperial decree, new porcelain with crafted and fired in the similar glaze at the Imperial kilns for his personal appreciation. Glazes imitating Jun, Ding, Guan, Ge and Ru wares, also known as the five 'official' wares of the Song dynasty, were created to cover a range of carefully selected forms like in the present piece. The emperor was particularly fond in trying to replicate every detail of the Song wares as close as he can, which is evidenced in the foot which has been left unglazed and stained dark brown to imitate the prototype.While a profusion of new shapes for porcelain vases were already developed in the Yongzheng period, a much greater variation of forms developed during the Qianlong reign. The delightful pocket-size of the present lot bears the simplicity in shape in reflection to the elegant legacy laid down by the Yongzheng emperor, but also bearing the subtle robustness which is associated with the early Qianlong period. Similar to their Song dynasty counterparts, Qianlong Ru-type imperial porcelain is also considerably rare due to the difficulties in controlling the glaze during the firing process. For related Ru-type miniature vase examples dated to the Qianlong period in the Qing Court collection, see The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum. Monochrome Porcelains, Hong Kong, 2016, pp.237-238, nos.215 & 216.Provenance:Formerly in the collection of Mr. Shao Xunmei (1906-1968) and Ms. Sheng Peiyu(1905-1989), thence by descent within the family

Price estimate:
HKD: 3,400,000 - 4,000,000
USD: 433,500 - 510,000

Auction Result:
HKD: --