The condition of lots can vary widely and the nature of the lots sold means that they are unlikely to be in a perfect condition. Lots are sold in the condition they are in at the time of sale.

If these vases are displayed high up or at eye-level they present very well, as the firing defects to the rim of the parakeet vase are not visible from this angle. Overall, the condition issues are minor, and are listed in more detail below:

Vase with the parakeet:
The most significant condition issue dates from the day it was made – the rim of the vase at the ‘reverse’ sagged during the firing (the side with the bird is unaffected). The green enamel on the branches did not fire properly either and is very speckled, and there are some small areas of over-painting to the green in places to disguise flaking to the green enamel, although there are also some leaves which have been restored. Others have been chipped. There is some restoration to the rim / flowers at the rim (particularly to the area which has sagged) which is probably disguising chipping, but the possibility of slight breaks cannot be ruled out. On the underside there are two firing cracks – these are very minor, and there are two areas of the footrim (and the adjacent lower petals of the bottom row of flowers) which have been restored – these are also minor. There is some slight over-painting to the parakeet’s beak and cherry – this appears to be just retouching to flaking of the enamels.

Vase with canary:
This vase has moved slightly off-centre during the firing, but its overall shape is more consistent than the other vase. There is some slight restoration to the rim – it is possible there may have been slight breaks which have been repaired, or it may just be some restored chipping. There is some lacquering to the extremities of the canary, suggesting that it is covering slight chipping, but it is impossible to discern the nature of what it conceals - these repairs are not discernible to the naked eye. There is some chipping to the green leaves.