Il Munson-Williams-Proctor Doucai vase Carefully Applied Technique: Unique technique and style of decoration, doucai was difficult and expensive to execute. After the vase was shaped and dried, fine outlines were painted cobalt blue underglaze on its unfired porous body. Since the cobalt immediately soaked into the raw clay, no errors could be corrected. Exceptionally rare: There are very few surviving doucai vases of such enormous size from the Qianlong period. A related Qianlong vase in the Walters Art Museum, Baltimore is different in shape but very similar in decoration and size. The chilong handles can be compared to those of a doucai-decorated vase in the Palace Museum in Beijing. Striking color and auspicious symbolism: The ruyi pattern, based on the shape of a lingzhi mushroom, represents a wish for "whatever you wish for" and was a popular motif for imperial birthdays. Additionally, four bold golden swastikas, wan卍, which are popular Buddhist symbols of good luck, are found on the body of the vase. Documented Provenance: Mrs. Helen Elizabeth Munson Williams acquired the vase from the American Art Galleries in 1883 and it has remained in the collection of the Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute of Utica in New York. A magnificent and extremely rare large Doucai vase Six character seal mark.
Qianlong Six-Character Seal Mark In Underglaze-Blue And Of The Period (1736-1795)
The Munson-Williams-Proctor Doucai vase is superbly glazed, with four stylized lotus flowers interspersed with small lotuses above the gilt emblems, all amid a lush leafy swirl motif, and bordered by a band of stylized bats above the clouds at the shoulder and a band of petals above the foot. The high waisted collar is decorated on both sides with a lotus flower, centered by a gilt shou medallion above a cluster of lingzhi mushrooms, all set against leafy scrolls and bordered above and below by ruyi-head bands and flanked by a pair of handles formed as a chilong, with sliding forked tails finely shaded in iron red and with gilt details. The original receipt for this vase still exists, issued in 1883 by the American Art Gallery, a division of the American Art Association in New York City. The receipt confirms the purchase of the vase by Mrs. Helen Elizabeth Munson Williams (1824–1894), whose collection would later form the basis for the Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute. The American Art Gallery sold both American paintings and Asian pottery, which Mrs. Williams was buying in the late 80s, a typical pursuit of sophisticated wealthy Americans in the late nineteenth century.
Proceeds from the sale of the lot will benefit the Helen Munson Williams Acquisition Fund, exclusively for the purchase of works of art for the permanent collection.
Qianlong in underglaze blue and period (1736-1795) 20 ¾ inches (52,7 cm.), wood mount Pixy: HK$30.000.000 – 50.000.000 €3.523.519,20 – 5.872.532,00
