An opaque sky-blue glass 'olive'-shaped vase, Qianlong four-character wheel-cut mark within a square and of the period

July 30, 2017, 7:02 am

≫ Next: An imperial blue overlay raspberry-pink glass double-gourd vase, Qianlong mark and period (1736-1795)

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Lot 1140. An opaque sky-blue glass 'olive'-shaped vase, Qianlong four-character wheel-cut mark within a square and of the period (1736-1795), 7½ in. (19 cm.) high. Estimate USD 15,000 - USD 25,000. Price realised USD 52,500. © Christie's Images Ltd 2012

The vase has a bulbous mid-section and then tapers towards the neck and the foot.

Provenance: Milwaukee Museum, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Imperial Oriental Art, New York, 1999.
Hugh W. Greenberg (1930-2013) Collection, Franklin, Michigan.

Note: This particular shape is referred to as either 'olive' or 'spindle', and is first seen in porcelain vases of Yongzheng date.
Two similar Qianlong-marked glass vases have been published. One in the Andrew K.F. Lee Collection, is illustrated by Humphrey Hui and Peter Lam in Elegance and Radiance: Grandeur in Qing Glass, The Art Museum, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2000, pp. 170-71, no. 48; the other is illustrated by Zhang Rong in Luster of Autumn Water: Glass of the Imperial Workshop, Beijing, 2005, pp. 154-55, no. 24.

Christie's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, 18 - 19 September 2014, New York

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An imperial blue overlay raspberry-pink glass double-gourd vase, Qianlong mark and period (1736-1795)

July 30, 2017, 7:25 am

≫ Next: An unusual small transparent purple glass double-gourd-form vase, Qianlong four-character inscribed mark and of the period

≪ Previous: An opaque sky-blue glass 'olive'-shaped vase, Qianlong four-character wheel-cut mark within a square and of the period

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Lot 4118. An imperial blue overlay raspberry-pink glass double-gourd vase, Qianlong four-character mark within double-squares and of the period (1736-1795), 6 in. (15.2 cm.) high. Estimate HKD 600,000 - HKD 800,000. Price realised HKD 1,700,000. © Christie's Images Ltd 2012

The characteristic double-gourd shaped vase is finely carved through a layer of pastel blue glass to depict insects in flight and lingzhi fungus among a flowering and fruiting pomegranate tree growing from rocks. The waisted mid-section of the vase is enveloped by a wide blue ribbon.

Note: Both the form and colour combination of this double-gourd vase are extremely rare and very few related examples have been published. The exceptionally fine carving and depiction of insects among flowering plants can be seen on another Qianlong-marked blue overlay ruby glass vase in the Palace Museum Collection, Beijing illustrated by Zhang Rong, Luster of Autumn Water, Glass of the Imperial Workshop, Beijing, 2005, pp. 246-247, no. 81. 

Christie's. Important Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, 30 May 2012, Hong Kong, HKCEC Grand Hall

An unusual small transparent purple glass double-gourd-form vase, Qianlong four-character inscribed mark and of the period

July 30, 2017, 7:34 am

≫ Next: An opaque yellow glass 'horse hoof'-shaped vase, Qianlong four-character wheel-cut mark within a square and of the period

≪ Previous: An imperial blue overlay raspberry-pink glass double-gourd vase, Qianlong mark and period (1736-1795)

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Lot 1135. An unusual small transparent purple glass double-gourd-form vase, Qianlong four-character inscribed mark and of the period (1736-1795), 4 3/8 in. (11.1 cm.) high. Estimate USD 18,000 - USD 25,000. Price realised USD 56,250. © Christie's Images Ltd 2012 

The vase is carved in high relief and undercut with a double-gourd vine that starts at the rim and extends around and down the sides where it spans the waist in places. The reign mark is inscribed on the flat base.

Provenance: Hugh W. Greenberg (1930-2013) Collection, Franklin, Michigan. 

Christie's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, 18 - 19 September 2014, New York

 

An opaque yellow glass 'horse hoof'-shaped vase, Qianlong four-character wheel-cut mark within a square and of the period

July 30, 2017, 7:42 am

≫ Next: An opaque lemon-yellow glass bottle vase, Qianlong four-character wheel-cut mark within a square and of the period

≪ Previous: An unusual small transparent purple glass double-gourd-form vase, Qianlong four-character inscribed mark and of the period

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Lot 1146. An opaque yellow glass 'horse hoof'-shaped vase, Qianlong four-character wheel-cut mark within a square and of the period (1736-1795), 6 5/8 in. (17 cm.) high. Estimate USD 30,000 - USD 50,000. Price realised USD 209,000. © Christie's Images Ltd 2014

The vase has a domed body surmounted by a cylindrical neck. The glass is of rich lemon-yellow color. 

Provenance: Alice Boney Collection; Parke-Bernet, New York, 1-2 May 1958, Robert Keyser, lot 323.
Imperial Oriental Art, New York, 1998.
Hugh W. Greenberg (1930-2013) Collection, Franklin, Michigan. 

Christie's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, 18 - 19 September 2014, New York

An opaque lemon-yellow glass bottle vase, Qianlong four-character wheel-cut mark within a square and of the period

July 30, 2017, 7:50 am

≫ Next: An opaque sky-blue glass bottle vase, Qianlong four-character wheel-cut mark within a square and of the period (1736-1795)

≪ Previous: An opaque yellow glass 'horse hoof'-shaped vase, Qianlong four-character wheel-cut mark within a square and of the period

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Lot 1145. An opaque lemon-yellow glass bottle vase, Qianlong four-character wheel-cut mark within a square and of the period (1736-1795), 8¾ in. (22.2 cm.) high. Estimate USD 40,000 - USD 60,000. Price realised USD 197,000. © Christie's Images Ltd 2014

The thick-walled vase has a globular body raised on a flared foot and is surmounted by a tall, cylindrical neck. The glass is of soft lemon-yellow color.  

Provenance: Mrs. Mary J. Morgan Collection, New York, sold in 1886.
Mrs. S.D. Warren Collection; Beacon Art Gallery, Boston, 1902, lot 306. Curtis Family Collection, Manchester, Massachusetts.
Imperial Oriental Art, New York, 1998.
Hugh W. Greenberg (1930-2013) Collection, Franklin, Michigan.  

Christie's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, 18 - 19 September 2014, New York

An opaque sky-blue glass bottle vase, Qianlong four-character wheel-cut mark within a square and of the period (1736-1795)

July 30, 2017, 8:02 am

≫ Next: An opaque sky-blue glass bottle vase, Qianlong four-character wheel-cut mark within a square and of the period (1736-1795)

≪ Previous: An opaque lemon-yellow glass bottle vase, Qianlong four-character wheel-cut mark within a square and of the period

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Lot 1133. An opaque sky-blue glass bottle vase, Qianlong four-character wheel-cut mark within a square and of the period (1736-1795), 8¾ in. (22.2 cm.) high. Estimate USD 12,000 - USD 18,000. Price realised USD 161,000. © Christie's Images Ltd 2014

The vase has a high-shouldered, tapering ovoid body and a tall neck that tapers to the flat mouth rim.  

Provenance: Imperial Oriental Art, New York, 2001.
Hugh W. Greenberg (1930-2013) Collection, Franklin, Michigan.  

Note: Compare the similar bottle vase, also with Qianlong mark, of slightly larger size (25 cm.), where the color is described as peacock blue, illustrated by Zhang Rong in Luster of Autumn Water: Glass of the Qing Imperial Workshop, Beijing, 2005, pp. 146-47, no. 20. Another, also larger (23.8 cm.), with Qianlong mark, in the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, is illustrated by C. Brown and D. Rabiner in Clear as Crystal, Red as Flame, China Institute, New York, 1990, p. 69, no. 33. See, also, the similar vase sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 1 June 2011, lot 3802.

Christie's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, 18 - 19 September 2014, New York

An opaque sky-blue glass bottle vase, Qianlong four-character wheel-cut mark within a square and of the period (1736-1795)

July 30, 2017, 8:11 am

≫ Next: An opaque yellow glass bottle vase, Qianlong four-character wheel-cut mark within a square and of the period (1736-1795)

≪ Previous: An opaque sky-blue glass bottle vase, Qianlong four-character wheel-cut mark within a square and of the period (1736-1795)

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Lot 1149. An opaque sky-blue glass bottle vase, Qianlong four-character wheel-cut mark within a square and of the period (1736-1795), 9¼ in. (23.5 cm.) high. Estimate $15,000 – $20,000. Price Realized $137,000. © Christie's Images Ltd 2014 

The vase has a bulbous body raised on a slightly flared foot and is surmounted by a tall, cylindrical neck.

Provenance: Mrs. Molly O’Daniel Danielson, Santa Barbara, California.
Imperial Oriental Art, New York, 1998.
Hugh W. Greenberg (1930-2013) Collection, Franklin, Michigan.

Note: Glass vases of this bottle shape, with similar Qianlong marks, were made in various colors, in both opaque and transparent glass. Several in the Andrew K.F. Lee Collection are illustrated in Elegance and Radiance: Grandeur in Qing Glass, The Art Museum, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2000, pp. 100-107, nos. 9-12. An opaque turquoise example in the Robert H. Clague Collection is illustrated by C. Brown and D. Rabiner in Chinese Glass of the Qing Dynasty, 1644-1911, pp. 36-7, no. 35.

Christie’s. FINE CHINESE CERAMICS AND WORKS OF ART, 18 – 19 September 2014, New York, Rockefeller Plaza. 

An opaque yellow glass bottle vase, Qianlong four-character wheel-cut mark within a square and of the period (1736-1795)

July 30, 2017, 8:36 am

≫ Next: A transparent dark burgundy-red glass bottle vase, Qianlong four-character wheel-cut mark within a square and of the period

≪ Previous: An opaque sky-blue glass bottle vase, Qianlong four-character wheel-cut mark within a square and of the period (1736-1795)

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Lot 1134. An opaque yellow glass bottle vase, Qianlong four-character wheel-cut mark within a square and of the period (1736-1795), 8 3/8 in. (21.3 cm.) high. Estimate $30,000 – $50,000. Price Realized $100,000. © Christie's Images Ltd 2014 

The thick-walled vase has a bulbous body raised on a flared foot and is surmounted by a tall, cylindrical neck. The glass is of lemon-yellow color.

Provenance: Molly O'Daniel Danielson, Santa Barbara, California.
Imperial Oriental Art, New York, 1998.
Hugh W. Greenberg (1930-2013) Collection, Franklin, Michigan.

Christie’s. FINE CHINESE CERAMICS AND WORKS OF ART, 18 – 19 September 2014, New York, Rockefeller Plaza

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A transparent dark burgundy-red glass bottle vase, Qianlong four-character wheel-cut mark within a square and of the period

July 30, 2017, 8:51 am

≫ Next: A small transparent amethyst glass faceted bottle vase, Qianlong four-character wheel-cut mark within a square and of the period

≪ Previous: An opaque yellow glass bottle vase, Qianlong four-character wheel-cut mark within a square and of the period (1736-1795)

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Lot 1139. A transparent dark burgundy-red glass bottle vase, Qianlong four-character wheel-cut mark within a square and of the period (1736-1795), 9½ in. (24.2 cm.) high.  Estimate $20,000 – $30,000. Price Realized $87,500. © Christie's Images Ltd 2014 

The vase has a high-shouldered tapering body and a tall, cylindrical neck.

Note: A similar transparent red glass vase with a similar Qianlong mark in the Franz collection is illustrated by Emily Byrne Curtis (ed.) in Pure Brightness Shines Everywhere: The Glass of China, London/Vermont, 2004, p. 91, fig. 10.2. Compare, also, the similar vase that bears a Yongzheng rather than Qianlong mark, in the collection of Robert H. Ellsworth, illustrated by C. Brown and D. Rabiner in Clear as Crystal, Red as Flame, China Institute, New York, 1990, p. 55, no. 18.

Christie’s. FINE CHINESE CERAMICS AND WORKS OF ART, 18 – 19 September 2014, New York, Rockefeller Plaza

A small transparent amethyst glass faceted bottle vase, Qianlong four-character wheel-cut mark within a square and of the period

July 30, 2017, 8:57 am

≫ Next: A transparent blue glass tripod incense burner, Qianlong four-character wheel-cut mark within a square and of the period

≪ Previous: A transparent dark burgundy-red glass bottle vase, Qianlong four-character wheel-cut mark within a square and of the period

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Lot 1166. A small transparent amethyst glass faceted bottle vase, Qianlong four-character wheel-cut mark within a square and of the period (1736-1795), 5 5/8 in. (14.3 cm.) high. Estimate $4,000 - USD 6,000. Price Realized $62,500. © Christie's Images Ltd 2014  

The pear-shaped body is cut with eight slightly concave facets and is raised on a foot of conforming outline that surrounds the circular base.

PROPERTY FROM THE MICHAEL D. STEVENSON COLLECTION.

Christie’s. FINE CHINESE CERAMICS AND WORKS OF ART, 18 – 19 September 2014, New York, Rockefeller Plaza

A transparent blue glass tripod incense burner, Qianlong four-character wheel-cut mark within a square and of the period

July 30, 2017, 9:05 am

≫ Next: A dark blue glass quatrefoil jardinière, Qianlong four-character wheel-cut mark within a square and of the period (1736-1795)

≪ Previous: A small transparent amethyst glass faceted bottle vase, Qianlong four-character wheel-cut mark within a square and of the period

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Lot 1154. A transparent blue glass tripod incense burner, Qianlong four-character wheel-cut mark within a square and of the period (1736-1795), 6 in. (15.2 cm.) wide across body. Estimate $10,000 - USD 15,000. Price Realized $52,500. © Christie's Images Ltd 2014   

The censer has a compressed body raised on three tapering supports and is surmounted by a shallow neck.

Provenance: Curtis Family Collection, Manchester, Massachusetts.
Imperial Oriental Art, New York, 1998.
Hugh W. Greenberg (1930-2013) Collection, Franklin, Michigan. 

Christie’s. FINE CHINESE CERAMICS AND WORKS OF ART, 18 – 19 September 2014, New York, Rockefeller Plaza

A dark blue glass quatrefoil jardinière, Qianlong four-character wheel-cut mark within a square and of the period (1736-1795)

July 30, 2017, 9:12 am

≫ Next: A small transparent ruby-red glass octagonal bottle vase, Qianlong four-character wheel-cut mark within a square and of the peri

≪ Previous: A transparent blue glass tripod incense burner, Qianlong four-character wheel-cut mark within a square and of the period

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Lot 1167. A dark blue glass quatrefoil jardinière, Qianlong four-character wheel-cut mark within a square and of the period (1736-1795), 7½ in. (19.1 cm.) wide. Estimate $10,000 - USD 15,000. Price Realized $47,500. © Christie's Images Ltd 2014    

The thick-walled bowl has four lobed sides and is raised on four small tab feet. The translucent glass is of vibrant violet-blue tone.

PROPERTY FROM THE MICHAEL D. STEVENSON COLLECTION

Christie’s. FINE CHINESE CERAMICS AND WORKS OF ART, 18 – 19 September 2014, New York, Rockefeller Plaza

A small transparent ruby-red glass octagonal bottle vase, Qianlong four-character wheel-cut mark within a square and of the peri

July 30, 2017, 9:20 am

≫ Next: Dish with Qianlong mark, Qing dynasty, Qianlong period (1736–95)

≪ Previous: A dark blue glass quatrefoil jardinière, Qianlong four-character wheel-cut mark within a square and of the period (1736-1795)

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Lot 1138. A small transparent ruby-red glass octagonal bottle vase, Qianlong four-character wheel-cut mark within a square and of the period (1736-1795), 5 3/8 in. (13.3 cm.) high. Estimate $10,000 - USD 15,000. Price Realized $32,500. © Christie's Images Ltd 2014     

The body, neck and foot are cut with eight facets, those on the body slightly concave.

Provenance: Imperial Oriental Art, New York, 2000.
Hugh W. Greenberg (1930-2013) Collection, Franklin, Michigan.

Note: Faceted glass bottles of this shape and approximate size first appear during the Yongzheng period. Two such examples with Yongzheng marks in the Andrew K.F. Lee Collection are illustrated in Elegance and Radiance: Grandeur in Qing Glass, The Art Museum, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2000, pp. 112-15, nos. 15 (opaque yellow) and 16 (transparent blue). Others with Qianlong marks are also illustrated pp. 116-25, nos. 17-21, including two transparent ruby-red examples, nos. 19 and 20. See, also, the two similar Qianlong-marked vases sold at Christie's New York, 20 September 2013, lot 1602.

Christie’s. FINE CHINESE CERAMICS AND WORKS OF ART, 18 – 19 September 2014, New York, Rockefeller Plaza

Dish with Qianlong mark, Qing dynasty, Qianlong period (1736–95)

July 30, 2017, 9:29 am

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≪ Previous: A small transparent ruby-red glass octagonal bottle vase, Qianlong four-character wheel-cut mark within a square and of the peri

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Dish with Qianlong mark, Qing dynasty, Qianlong period (1736–95). Glass. H. 046 x W. 176. William Sturgis Bigelow Collection, 26.755© 2017 Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

Article 2

July 30, 2017, 9:38 am

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Long necked vase, Qing dynasty, Qianlong mark and period (1736–95). Glass, 28,6 x 14,2 cm. William Sturgis Bigelow Collection, 11.9673© 2017 Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.

Provenance: By 1911, purchased by William Sturgis Bigelow (b. 1850 - d. 1926), Boston [see note 1]; 1911, gift of Bigelow to the MFA. (Accession Date: August 3, 1911)

Note: Much of Bigelow's collection of Asian art was formed during his residence in Japan between 1882 and 1889, although he also made acquisitions in Europe and the United States. Bigelow deposited many of these objects at the MFA in 1890 before donating them to the Museum's collection at later dates.

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Article 1

July 30, 2017, 9:45 am

≫ Next: Article 0

≪ Previous: Article 2

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Straight-sided bowl, Qing dynasty, Qianlong mark and period (1736–95). Glass, 0,82 x 16,3 cm. William Sturgis Bigelow Collection, 11.9680© 2017 Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.

Provenance: By 1911, purchased by William Sturgis Bigelow (b. 1850 - d. 1926), Boston [see note 1]; 1911, gift of Bigelow to the MFA. (Accession Date: August 3, 1911)

Note: Much of Bigelow's collection of Asian art was formed during his residence in Japan between 1882 and 1889, although he also made acquisitions in Europe and the United States. Bigelow deposited many of these objects at the MFA in 1890 before donating them to the Museum's collection at later dates.

Article 0

July 30, 2017, 9:51 am

≫ Next: Flat bowl, Qing dynasty, Qianlong mark and period (1736–95)

≪ Previous: Article 1

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Bowl, Qing dynasty, Qianlong mark and period (1736–95). Glass, 0,75 x 17 cm. William Sturgis Bigelow Collection, 11.9682 © 2017 Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.

Provenance: By 1911, purchased by William Sturgis Bigelow (b. 1850 - d. 1926), Boston [see note 1]; 1911, gift of Bigelow to the MFA. (Accession Date: August 3, 1911)

Note: Much of Bigelow's collection of Asian art was formed during his residence in Japan between 1882 and 1889, although he also made acquisitions in Europe and the United States. Bigelow deposited many of these objects at the MFA in 1890 before donating them to the Museum's collection at later dates.

Flat bowl, Qing dynasty, Qianlong mark and period (1736–95)

July 30, 2017, 10:09 am

≫ Next: Flask, Qing dynasty, Qianlong mark and period (1736–95)

≪ Previous: Article 0

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Flat bowl, Qing dynasty, Qianlong mark and period (1736–95). Glass, 4,5 x 17,8 cm. William Sturgis Bigelow Collection, 12.115 © 2017 Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.

 

Flask, Qing dynasty, Qianlong mark and period (1736–95)

July 30, 2017, 10:19 am

≫ Next: Bowl, flaring from bottom to rim, Qing dynasty, Qianlong mark and period (1736–95)

≪ Previous: Flat bowl, Qing dynasty, Qianlong mark and period (1736–95)

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Flask, Qing dynasty, Qianlong mark and period (1736–95). Glass, 14,1  x 7,6 cm. William Sturgis Bigelow Collection, 12.115 © 2017 Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.

Provenance: Lent by W.S. Bigelow, March 7, 1914

Bowl, flaring from bottom to rim, Qing dynasty, Qianlong mark and period (1736–95)

July 30, 2017, 10:27 am

≫ Next: Plate, Qing dynasty, Qianlong mark and period (1736–95)

≪ Previous: Flask, Qing dynasty, Qianlong mark and period (1736–95)

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 Bowl, flaring from bottom to rim, Qing dynasty, Qianlong mark and period (1736–95). Glass, 7,5 x 16,1 cm. William Sturgis Bigelow Collection, 22.424 © 2017 Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.

Provenance: Lent by W.S. Bigelow, 03/07/1914