Bonhams 1793 : A large Yixing stoneware appliqué-decorated 'squirrel' teapot and cover Early Qing dynasty

Early Qing dynasty
Of globular form rising from a slightly recessed foot, applied with a loop handle set opposite a swan neck spout of gnarled branch form, crisply appliqué-decorated with six squirrels playing and feeding on luscious grapes issuing from leafy foliages, the cover surmounted by a finial in the form of playful squirrel.
23cm wide. (2).

Sold for HK$ 62,500 inc. premium

Footnotes

清早期紫泥貼花松樹葡萄紋大壺

壺圓身，樹幹形三彎流及正耳把，底微凹，壺身以貼泥技法裝飾，從壺把一端延伸貼飾葡萄蔓藤，六隻松鼠於蔓藤間採食葡萄。壺蓋鈕亦塑成一隻蹲臥屈身松鼠作撓痒狀，生動可愛，玲瓏討喜。紫泥胎質，窯火得宜，包漿瑩潤，為早期大壺中難得之完整品。

此類大壺器形較大，燒造困難，極容易出現窯裂和變形等現象，成品率相對較低，細觀此壺，貼泥紋飾中葉脈及松樹皮毛均作細緻雕刻，實為難得佳器。