Qing dynasty sacrificial blue vase. Late 17th/ Early 18th Century For Sale

This fine porcelain vase was made during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912) Kangxi period (1662-1722 AD). Dating from either the late 17th or early 18th century, it is quite thinly potted. The smooth and lustrous glaze is of a type known as \"sacrificial\" blue. Porcelain

pieces with this glaze were used in imperial state ceremonies dedicated to the winter solstice. These ceremonies dated back to at least the Ming (1368-1644 AD) dynasty. It became common during the Qing dynasty to also use these blue porcelain pieces as decorations for the Imperial Palace. The glazing of porcelain pieces can be accomplished by either dipping, brushing or spraying. This third technique of applying glaze possibly dates as far back as the Song (960-1279 AD) dynasty. The glaze was blown through a hollow bamboo tube with a silk diffuser affixed at the end. This early form of aerosol glaze application resulted in a very even and smooth surface. This piece is an example of this technique being successfully utilized. The inner neck of this piece clearly shows the gradation of color from blue to white when this spraying technique is used to apply glaze. The white decoration has been cut from a sheet of soft porcelain material and applied on top of the glaze. Details were added by hand and the subsequent firing in the kiln fused the decoration to the body. This applied decoration technique was used in the Yuan (1279-1368 AD) dynasty as well as during the reign of the emperor Yongle (1402-1424 AD) in the Ming dynasty. The applied decoration consists of a dragon, phoenix, clouds, flaming pearl and two archaistic characters. These two characters read \"Neifu\" or \"inner court\". This piece was acquired in a very clean and undamaged condition. Close inspection shows a slight amount of patination in the recesses of the applied decoration and some wear to the typical hand cut foot rim.

14 3/8\" (36.5 cm) tall