A Very Rare Small 'robin's Egg'-glazed Vase, Meiping
YONGZHENG IMPRESSED FOUR-CHARACTER SEAL MARK AND OF THE PERIOD (1723-1735)
This exquisite meiping vase from the Yongzheng period features the coveted robin's egg glaze, a technically demanding monochromatic technique that produces soft turquoise tones and was highly prized by Chinese imperial potters. The form itself, with its compressed globular body and short neck, represents a classic shape from the Song dynasty that was revived during the Qing period as collectors and court officials sought to honor historical ceramic traditions. The presence of a Yongzheng seal mark authenticates the piece as a product of one of the most refined periods in Chinese porcelain manufacture, when the imperial kilns at Jingdezhen achieved unprecedented levels of technical perfection and aesthetic sophistication.
- Spotted At
- Auction House · Christie's
Notes
LOT ESSAY It was recorded that the Yongzheng Emperor had specifically requested good copies of Song glazes to be produced at Jingdezhen, at which the famous kiln director Tang Ying (1682-1756) excelled. The 'robin's-egg' glaze is generally thought to have been developed as a free interpretation of Song dynasty Jun glazes and reflects the contemporary interest in producing glazes that were both attractive in color but also innovative in their use of texture. The extraordinary effect of the robin's-egg glaze is achieved with the use of copper and arsenic as an opacifier to create an opaque stippled turquoise glaze. Tang Ying, in his Taocheng jishi bei ji (Commemorative Stele on Ceramic Production), cites the 'robin's-egg' glaze first in a list of the nineteen most popular types of wares for the Imperial Court.
🔨 Auction Lot
Important Chinese Art
March 26, 2026
Estimate: $30,000 – $50,000
Sold: $78,740
Lot 659
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