Collection of Edward T. Chow (1910-80).

Sotheby's Hong Kong, 25th November 1980, lot 127.

Sotheby's Hong Kong, 28th April 1998, lot 813.

仇焱之（1910-80年）收藏

香港蘇富比1980年11月25日，編號127

香港蘇富比1998年4月28日，編號813

Julian Thompson, The Alan Chuang Collection of Chinese Porcelain, Hong Kong, 2009, pl. 46.

朱湯生，《中國瓷器：莊紹綏收藏》，香港，2009年，圖版46

Being an accomplished scholar, excelling in all areas from calligraphy and painting, as well as being well-versed in all important Chinese classics, Yongzheng Emperor had a deep respect and great appreciation for ancient Chinese art and aesthetics. He was particularly interested in ceramics; he would personally oversee every aspect of the porcelain produced in the imperial workshop, commenting on their forms, sizes and even their decoration and glazes. Official records include﷽d his comments such as 'to refine (to achieve) an elegant presence' and to 'make thinner', indicating the emperor's uncompromising dedication to excellence.

The simplicity of the design on the present cup, with two stylised phoenix in contrasting shades of paler and darker iron-red in an attractive vivid tone, no doubt accurately reflects Yongzheng's penchant for archaism and refined subtlety. Coupled with the fine and delicate potting and the elegant form and shape, this waterpot would definitely have been⛎ among Yongzheng's favourites, attesting to his great taste and temperament. 

Waterpots of this form and decoration are incredibly rare with only a handful of known examples, including one preserved in the Beijing Palace Museum (accession no. Gu-00150292) and two pairs sold through auction; the first pair was sold in these rooms, 31st October 1974, lot 291, the second pair was sold in our London rooms, 16th June 1998, lot 260, and then sold separately on 15th May 2013, lot 171 and 6th November 2013, lot 157. Compare also a pair of stylistically similar Yongzheng dishes, decorated with iron-red dragons, included in the exhibition Splendour of the Qing Dynasty, Hong Kong Museum of Ar🦹t, Hong Kong, 1992, cat. no. 168.