19TH C FLAMBE TRANSMUTATION GLAZE HU VASE

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Ca. 1880 – 1900
Late Qing Dynasty
Porcelain with transmutation flambé glaze
H: 28.7 cm
From an English private collection

An elegant late Qing “Hu” vase, tight and compact in form, and covered with flambé glaze of an intense red. The archaic “hu” form is based on Shang bronze prototypes, which were originally ritual vessels used in the heating and pouring of wine.

The Qing flambe glaze is rooted in the antiquarian revivals of the Yongzheng and Qianlong period, when an interest in Song monochromes led to attempts to copy Jun glazes. To capture the trans-mutational and ever changing quality of jun wares, Jingdezhen potters added colloidal copper, iron, or other metallic materials into their existent glaze formula. The resultant products are glassier, and more bold homages to the red jun glaze.

Condition report: very good antique condition, with just two shallow chips to foot rim. [Please examine all photos carefully; they are part of the condition report.]