21. A large purple glass bottle vase

The vase is of large bottle form, with a globular body supporting a tall flared neck. The recessed base is formed from a continuation of the sides curving underneath, visible as a dome inside. The glass is of rich translucent amethyst colour, with some imperfections and rivering.

Provenance:
Sotheby’s Hong Kong, 25th November 2014, lot 1122

Translucent blown glass of this type is rare in Chinese art. A conservative dating to the Qing dynasty is given here, but the quality of the glass itself and the types of imperfections seen in it, suggest a date within the Qing dynasty as early as the eighteenth century. 

透明紫料長頸撇口大瓶

Dimensions: Height: 43.5cm, 17 ¼ inches

Date: Qing dynasty (1644-1911)