A rare pear-shaped bottle vase with flambé-like glaze

Description:

China, 18th/19th century
H. 43 cm
Very unusual flambé glaze with a partial metallic iridescent shimmer. Unglazed stand ring, glazed base.
From an old German diplomatic possession, by descent to the present owners
Flambé-glazes (Chinese 窑变釉 yaobian you, literally "kiln glazes") belong to the most striking ceramic developments of the Qing dynasty;are among the most striking ceramic developments of the Qing dynasty, especially during the reigns of the emperors Kangxi (1662-1722), Yongzheng (1723-1735) and Qianlong (1736-1795). These glazes are distinguished by their characteristic run marks, colour gradients and metallic effects that arise spontaneously during the firing process. Technically, these are high-temperature glazes, usually based on copper oxide, which are fired in a reducing atmosphere. The result is iridescent colours ranging from deep red, purple, blue and violet to pale or grey effects. Crystalline or "thin" colours also frequently appear, giving the surface a lively texture - Well preserved, Well preserved, the neck is very slightly leaning to one side