A COPPER-RED GLAZED 'LANGYAO' BOTTLE VASE, TIANQIUPING, 18TH CENTURY
A COPPER-RED GLAZED 'LANGYAO' BOTTLE VASE, TIANQIUPING, 18TH CENTURY
China. Well potted with a compressed globular body rising from a broad foot to a tall slender neck. Covered overall in a fine copper-red glaze of rich crushed-strawberry and deep burgundy tones, suffused with a fine network of crackles and subtle vertical streaking, the color deepening across the rounded body and thinning to white at the mouth. The base covered in a pale celadon glaze with dark crackle.
Provenance: From an important Dutch private collector and connoisseur of Chinese art, acquired before 1955 and thence by descent in the family.
The collector assembled his collection during an extended period of residence in China, acquiring works with a discerning and scholarly eye before returning to the Netherlands in 1954. Preserved in its entirety within the same family thereafter, the collection was distinguished by its remarkable breadth and scholarly character, encompassing imperial porcelain, bronzes, furniture, silk robes, jade, books, and scrolls. No object from the collection, including the present lot, had appeared on the market prior to its dispersal in 2026.
Condition: Excellent condition with minor wear and firing irregularities. Some areas around the foot have been slightly smoothed, likely during manufacture to even out the irregular glaze drips characteristic of this type of ware.
Weight: 1,947 g
Dimensions: Height 28.4 cm
The term langyao, 'lang wares', derives its name from Lang Tingji, director of the official kilns at Jingdezhen between 1705-1712, who is credited with the revival of monochrome glazes and particularly copper-red glazes. The copper-red color is often considered the most challenging to regulate during the firing process as exactly the right conditions are required within the kiln to achieve the rich tones demonstrated by the present lot. Although copper-red was used successfully in the Ming dynasty, particularly in the Xuande period, the copper-red monochrome glazes seen in the Qing dynasty became even more refined and were of an exceptionally even and vibrant tone.
Literature comparison:
Compare a related copper-red glazed vase of similar form, also dated to Qing dynasty, in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, object number 故瓷006573N000000000.
Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Christie's New York, 19 March 2008, lot 652
Price: USD 18,750 or approx.
EUR 25,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A copper-red-glazed bottle vase, 18th century
Expert remark: Compare the closely related copper-red glaze, washed-out white mouth, and size (28.8 cm). Note the slightly different form.
Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Christie's New York, 30 March 2005, lot 426
Price: USD 38,400 or approx.
EUR 57,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A copper-red-glazed pear-shaped vase, Kangxi period (1662-1722)
Expert remark: Compare the closely related copper-red glaze and washed-out white mouth. Note the different form and the size (36.5 cm).
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30%
Sale price
Estimate
Time, Location
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A COPPER-RED GLAZED 'LANGYAO' BOTTLE VASE, TIANQIUPING, 18TH CENTURY
China. Well potted with a compressed globular body rising from a broad foot to a tall slender neck. Covered overall in a fine copper-red glaze of rich crushed-strawberry and deep burgundy tones, suffused with a fine network of crackles and subtle vertical streaking, the color deepening across the rounded body and thinning to white at the mouth. The base covered in a pale celadon glaze with dark crackle.
Provenance: From an important Dutch private collector and connoisseur of Chinese art, acquired before 1955 and thence by descent in the family.
The collector assembled his collection during an extended period of residence in China, acquiring works with a discerning and scholarly eye before returning to the Netherlands in 1954. Preserved in its entirety within the same family thereafter, the collection was distinguished by its remarkable breadth and scholarly character, encompassing imperial porcelain, bronzes, furniture, silk robes, jade, books, and scrolls. No object from the collection, including the present lot, had appeared on the market prior to its dispersal in 2026.
Condition: Excellent condition with minor wear and firing irregularities. Some areas around the foot have been slightly smoothed, likely during manufacture to even out the irregular glaze drips characteristic of this type of ware.
Weight: 1,947 g
Dimensions: Height 28.4 cm
The term langyao, 'lang wares', derives its name from Lang Tingji, director of the official kilns at Jingdezhen between 1705-1712, who is credited with the revival of monochrome glazes and particularly copper-red glazes. The copper-red color is often considered the most challenging to regulate during the firing process as exactly the right conditions are required within the kiln to achieve the rich tones demonstrated by the present lot. Although copper-red was used successfully in the Ming dynasty, particularly in the Xuande period, the copper-red monochrome glazes seen in the Qing dynasty became even more refined and were of an exceptionally even and vibrant tone.
Literature comparison:
Compare a related copper-red glazed vase of similar form, also dated to Qing dynasty, in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, object number 故瓷006573N000000000.
Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Christie's New York, 19 March 2008, lot 652
Price: USD 18,750 or approx.
EUR 25,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A copper-red-glazed bottle vase, 18th century
Expert remark: Compare the closely related copper-red glaze, washed-out white mouth, and size (28.8 cm). Note the slightly different form.
Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Christie's New York, 30 March 2005, lot 426
Price: USD 38,400 or approx.
EUR 57,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A copper-red-glazed pear-shaped vase, Kangxi period (1662-1722)
Expert remark: Compare the closely related copper-red glaze and washed-out white mouth. Note the different form and the size (36.5 cm).
Buyer's Premium
30%
Sale price
Estimate
Time, Location
Auction House
