A rare Imperial Ge-type Cong-Form Vase, China, underglaze blue Qianlong six-character sealmark and of the period. Photo Nagel
Of square section with characteristic crackled ge-type glaze. The form of this vase is based on a jade cong ritual object with a circular core and a square exterior, often with stylised masks carved in horizontal registers at the corners. Two tiny burst glaze bubbles otherwise good condition. H. 28,1 cm. Estimate 50 000/70 000 €
For an example, cf. a jade cong dated to the Neolitic period, Liangzhu Culture, in the Nanjing Museum, included in the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum exhibition, China, 5000 Years, New York, 1998, and illustrated in the Catalogue, no. 5.
As early as the Song Dynasty, the Imperial court was fascinated with archaic objects and many wares were produced in imitation of ancient forms, including that of the cong.
Qianlong-marked examples of this form is rare, although a Yongzheng-marked example with a Ge-type vase was sold at Christie’s Hong Kong, 3 December 2008, lot 2562. A related example Ge-type wall vase with a Qianlong mark was sold at Christie’s Hong Kong, 1 June 2011, lot 3706 and another wall vase of Guan-type glaze with a Yongzheng mark in the Beijing Palace Museum Collection, illustrated in Qingdai Yuyao Ciqi. Juan 1, Forbidden Palace Press, 2005, p. 347, no. 159
Nagel. "Asian Art". 2012/11/02 http://www.auction.de/