A GUAN-TYPE GLAZED WATERPOT, TAIBAI ZUN, LATER QING TO REPUBLIC
China, c. 1850-1949. Of classic form with rounded sides rising to a short and slightly flaring neck, covered overall in a pale gray 'orange skin' glaze with delicate crackles, the foot rim unglazed revealing the dark body. The recessed base with an apocryphal blue enameled six-character seal mark da Qing Qianlong nianzhi.

Provenance: French private collection.
Condition: Excellent condition with minor wear and firing irregularities, the color of the russet crackles faded in some areas.

Weight: 429.3 g
Dimensions: Height 9 cm, Base diameter 11.6 cm

Waterpots of this form are known as Taibai zun, after the Tang dynasty poet Li Bai (also named Li Taibai, 701-762) who is often depicted leaning against a large wine vat of this shape. They are also known as jichao zun because their shape resembles that of a basketwork chicken coop that is woven with a small opening at the top through which the chicks are fed. Beehive waterpots of this shape are well-known with peachbloom glazes, but those covered in other monochrome glazes were produced in smaller numbers.

清末民初仿官窯太白尊
中國, 約1850-1949年。太白尊小口微撇，圓唇，短頸，半球狀腹。灰白色橘皮釉開片，圈足未上釉露出深色胎。底足青花六字"大清乾隆年制"款。

來源：巴黎Millon, Drouot, 2007年3月 23日。法國私人收藏，購於上述拍賣行，隨附原始發票副本。
品相：狀況極佳，有輕微磨損和燒製不規則現象，赤褐色裂紋在某些區域褪色。

重量： 429.3 克
尺寸：高 9 厘米, 底足 直徑11.6 厘米