A doucai 'floral' winecup, Mark and period of Yongzheng (1723-1735)

January 13, 2018, 9:04 am

≫ Next: A fine blue and white 'Ducks in a pond' cup, mark and period of Jiajing (1522-1566)

≪ Previous: A rare triple mouth double-gourd Ru-type vase, seal mark and period of Qianlong (1736-1795)

$

0

0

Lot 3194. A doucai'floral' winecup, Mark and period of Yongzheng (1723-1735); 7.3 cm., 2 7/8  in. Estimate 80,000 — 100,000 HKD. Lot sold 875,000 HKD. Photo: Sotheby's 2013

delicately potted, with flared sides supported on a short straight foot, finely decorated on the exterior with four roundels of chrysanthemums set against densely painted leaves and attendant buds, the petals in iron-red, yellow and puce, around cross-hatched stamens, divided by stylised pairs of lotus sprays alternating yellow and iron-red colours, the base inscribed in underglaze blue with a six-character reign mark within double squares.

Provenance: Collection of George S. Palmer, New London, Connecticut.
Sotheby Parke Bernet Inc., New York, 12th & 13th March 1975, lot 453 (one of a pair)

Sotheby's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art. Hong Kong, 08 april 2013 

---

A fine blue and white 'Ducks in a pond' cup, mark and period of Jiajing (1522-1566)

January 13, 2018, 9:15 am

≫ Next: A fine blue-glazed bowl, Mark and period of Yongzheng (1723-1735)

≪ Previous: A doucai 'floral' winecup, Mark and period of Yongzheng (1723-1735)

$

0

0

Lot 3124. A fine blue and white 'Ducks in a pond' cup, mark and period of Jiajing (1522-1566); 5 cm., 2 in. Estimate 120,000 — 150,000 HKD. Lot sold 812,500 HKD. Photo: Sotheby's 2013

the deep rounded sides rising from a short foot to a gently everted rim, freely painted around the exterior in deep shades of cobalt with ducks among reeds, another group flying in formation in the distance, the interior similarly decorated with a medallion of a duck among reeds within double circles repeated at the rim, the base inscribed in underglaze blue with a six-character reign mark within double circles. 

Sotheby's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art. Hong Kong, 08 april 2013 

A fine blue-glazed bowl, Mark and period of Yongzheng (1723-1735)

January 13, 2018, 9:24 am

≫ Next: A fine blue-glazed bowl, Mark and period of Yongzheng (1723-1735)

≪ Previous: A fine blue and white 'Ducks in a pond' cup, mark and period of Jiajing (1522-1566)

$

0

0

Lot 3063. A fine blue-glazed bowl, Mark and period of Yongzheng (1723-1735); 18.7 cm., 7 3/8  in.  Estimate 300,000 — 400,000 HKD. Lot sold 812,500 HKD. Photo: Sotheby's 2013

with deep rounded sides resting on a straight foot, applied around the body with a dark-blue glaze of rich purplish tone speckled with a subtle 'orange peel' effect, stopping neatly just above the foot and draining to white at the rim, the interior and the base left white, the latter inscribed in underglaze blue with a six-character reign mark within double circles. 

Sotheby's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art. Hong Kong, 08 april 2013 

A fine blue-glazed bowl, Mark and period of Yongzheng (1723-1735)

January 13, 2018, 10:11 am

≫ Next: A ruby-ground famille-rose 'Floral' bowl, seal mark and period of Qianlong (1736-1795)

≪ Previous: A fine blue-glazed bowl, Mark and period of Yongzheng (1723-1735)

$

0

0

Lot 3063. A fine blue-glazed bowl, Mark and period of Yongzheng (1723-1735); 18.7 cm., 7 3/8  in.  Estimate 300,000 — 400,000 HKD. Lot sold 812,500 HKD. Photo: Sotheby's 2013

with deep rounded sides resting on a straight foot, applied around the body with a dark-blue glaze of rich purplish tone speckled with a subtle 'orange peel' effect, stopping neatly just above the foot and draining to white at the rim, the interior and the base left white, the latter inscribed in underglaze blue with a six-character reign mark within double circles. 

Sotheby's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art. Hong Kong, 08 april 2013 

A ruby-ground famille-rose 'Floral' bowl, seal mark and period of Qianlong (1736-1795)

January 13, 2018, 10:21 am

≫ Next: A fine incised white-glazed 'Lotus' stembowl, Incised seal mark and period of Qianlong (1736-1795)

≪ Previous: A fine blue-glazed bowl, Mark and period of Yongzheng (1723-1735)

$

0

0

Lot 3188. A ruby-ground famille-rose'Floral' bowl, seal mark and period of Qianlong (1736-1795); 9.3 cm., 3 5/8  in. Estimate 500,000 — 700,000 HKD. Lot sold 812,500 HKD. Photo: Sotheby's 2013

the delicately potted rounded sides resting on a short cylindrical foot, finely decorated in bright enamels on the exterior with a variety of flowers including pink, yellow, and blue peonies clustered around the foot, yellow lilies, green mallow, morning glories, begonia, asters and other exotic blooms, all naturalistically detailed with veined leaves in shaded tones of green and reserved on a ruby-red ground of deep crushed-raspberry tone, the interior left white, the base inscribed in underglaze blue with a six-character seal mark. 

The present bowl is a rare early Qianlong period example of ruby-ground bowls of this form, size and decoration. Bowls of this type are better known from Jiaqing’s reign, generally bearing a six-character Jiaqing mark on the base; such as the pair sold in these rooms, 20th November 1984, lot 412, one now in the Weishaupt collection, illustrated in Gunhild Avitabile, From the Dragon’s Treasure, London, 1987, pl. 26, and the other now in the Grüterich collection, included in the exhibition Chinesische Keramik. Meisterwerke aus Privatsammlngen, Museum für Ostasiatische Kunst, Cologne, 1988, cat. no. 139. Another similar Jiaqing pair of bowls was sold in these rooms, 30th April 1991, lot 110; and a further example was sold in our London rooms, 12th December 1989, lot 436.

For the prototype of the decoration, see a Yongzheng ruby-ground bowl in the Shanghai Museum, Shanghai, illustrated in Chugoku toji zenshu, vol. 21, Kyoto, 1981, pl. 105; and a slightly smaller (d. 8.4 cm) ruby-ground bowl with famille-rose flowers and a Yongzheng yuzhi mark, in the British Museum, London, published in Hugh Moss, By Imperial Command, Hong Kong, 1976, pl. 5. 

Sotheby's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art. Hong Kong, 08 april 2013 

A fine incised white-glazed 'Lotus' stembowl, Incised seal mark and period of Qianlong (1736-1795)

January 13, 2018, 10:31 am

≫ Next: A fine blue and white 'Dragon' bowl, seal mark and period of Qianlong (1736-1795)

≪ Previous: A ruby-ground famille-rose 'Floral' bowl, seal mark and period of Qianlong (1736-1795)

$

0

0

 

Lot 3064. A fine incised white-glazed 'Lotus'  stembowl, Incised seal mark and period of Qianlong (1736-1795); 14.7 cm., 5 3/4  in. Estimate 180,000 — 220,000 HKD. Lot sold 725,000 HKD. Photo: Sotheby's 2013

thinly potted, the wide flared bowl resting on a narrow hollow stem flaring toward the base, finely incised on the interior with six lotus blossoms wreathed by a continuous meandering foliate stem, encircling a central six-character seal mark enclosed within a double ring repeated at rim, the exterior walls similarly decorated with six large scrolling lotus, above a band of upright petal lappets on the underside and two further lotus flowers on the foot, all beneath a smooth transparent glaze slightly tinged with blue, the interior of the stem further glazed. 

Provenance: Christie's London, 10th December 1979, lot 290.
Sotheby's Hong Kong, 31st October 2004, lot 220.

Note: A Qianlong stembowl of this shape and incised design, one of a pair, is illustrated in John Ayers, Chinese Ceramics from the Baur Collection, vol. 2, Genève, 1999, pl. 304; and another similar stembowl in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, was included in the Special Exhibition of K'ang-hsi, Yung-cheng and Ch'ien-lung Porcelain Ware, National Palace Museum, Taipei, 1986, cat. no. 83. Compare also a stembowl formerly in the Toguri Museum, Tokyo, sold in our London rooms, 9th June 2004, lot 9. 

Sotheby's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art. Hong Kong, 08 april 2013

A fine blue and white 'Dragon' bowl, seal mark and period of Qianlong (1736-1795)

January 13, 2018, 10:41 am

≫ Next: A fine blue and white ‘Dragon’ vase, Qing dynasty, Kangxi period (1662-1722)

≪ Previous: A fine incised white-glazed 'Lotus' stembowl, Incised seal mark and period of Qianlong (1736-1795)

$

0

0

Lot 3151. A fine blue and white 'Dragon' bowl, seal mark and period of Qianlong (1736-1795); 17.1 cm., 6 3/4  in. Estimate 250,000 — 350,000 HKD. Lot sold 625,000 HKD. Photo: Sotheby's 2013

of ogée-form resting on a straight foot, the rounded waisted sides rising to an upturned rim, brightly decorated around the exterior with two fanciful five-clawed dragons striding among clouds, their powerful muscular scaly bodies emitting flames, one turning its head looking backward toward the other behind him, all between double lines at the rim and foot, the interior centred with a medallion enclosing a similar dragon writhing among flames, the base inscribed with a six-character seal mark in underglaze blue. 

Sotheby's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art. Hong Kong, 08 april 2013

A fine blue and white ‘Dragon’ vase, Qing dynasty, Kangxi period (1662-1722)

January 13, 2018, 10:48 am

≫ Next: A blue and white ‘Landscape’ brushpot, Qing dynasty, Kangxi period (1662-1722)

≪ Previous: A fine blue and white 'Dragon' bowl, seal mark and period of Qianlong (1736-1795)

$

0

0

Lot 3141. A fine blue and white ‘Dragon’ vase, Qing dynasty, Kangxi period (1662-1722); 23.5 cm., 9 1/4  in. Estimate 500,000 — 700,000 HKD. Lot sold 625,000 HKD. Photo: Sotheby's 2013

the ovoid body rising to a waisted neck, painted in vivid blue tones with two ferocious dragons writhing amongst flame wisps in pursuit of 'flaming pearls', the neck with a band of swirls below a band of circles, the base with an artemisia leaf within a double ring. 

Provenance: S. Marchant & Son, London, 1975.

Note: Compare a vase from the H.M. Knight collection, sold twice in these rooms 28th November 1979, lot 206 and 8th April 2011, lot 3105. A similar 'dragon' vase in the Shanghai Museum, with a Kangxi reign mark, is illustrated in Kangxi Porcelain Wares from the Shanghai Museum Collection, Hong Kong, 1998, pl. 12. See also a larger vase of related form and decoration, in the Palace Museum, Beijing, illustrated in Chen Runmin, Qing Shunzhi Kangxi qiao qinghua ci, Beijing, 2005, pl. 256.

Sotheby's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art. Hong Kong, 08 april 2013

---

A blue and white ‘Landscape’ brushpot, Qing dynasty, Kangxi period (1662-1722)

January 13, 2018, 10:55 am

≫ Next: A pair of wucai bowls with foliate design, seal marks and period of Daoguang (1821-1850)

≪ Previous: A fine blue and white ‘Dragon’ vase, Qing dynasty, Kangxi period (1662-1722)

$

0

0

Lot 3140. A blue and white ‘Landscape’ brushpot, Qing dynasty, Kangxi period (1662-1722); 19 cm., 7 1/2  in. Estimate 500,000 — 700,000 HKD. Lot sold 625,000 HKD. Photo: Sotheby's 2013

of broad cylindrical form, vividly painted around the exterior in shades of cobalt blue with a continuous lakescene depicting two fishermen navigating their junks rigged with square sails blown by the wind on rippled waters below a gaggle of geese in the distance, meanwhile on the banks a farmer follows an ox passing below wind-blown willow trees, and a scholar and his attendant cross over a rocky ledge toward stilted houses sheltering two figures conversing on a veranda, below a thatched pavilion on a nearby hill, all between double-line borders encircling the rim and base, the base with a central recessed roundel, partly glazed save for a broad ring left in the biscuit and applied with a pale yellow wash. 

Note: This brushpot is notable for the style of painting that expertly combines washes of cobalt with confident lines to create an idyllic scene. The popular theme of scholars retreating in a pavilion within a pastoral landscape provided scholars with a means of temporarily escaping the responsibilities of official life in the court. Traditionally the subject of painting, the craftsman has effectively translated this onto a brushpot, an essential item of the scholar’s desk. 

Related brushpots of this type and decoration include one from the collection of Robert Chang, sold at Christie’s New York, 25th March 2003, lot 259; another sold in these rooms, 17th May 1988, lot 154; and a third example sold in our New York rooms, 9th December 1983, lot 348.

Sotheby's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art. Hong Kong, 08 april 2013

A pair of wucai bowls with foliate design, seal marks and period of Daoguang (1821-1850)

January 13, 2018, 11:08 am

≫ Next: A blue and white 'Dragon and Fish' bowl, mark and period of Jiajing (1522-1566)

≪ Previous: A blue and white ‘Landscape’ brushpot, Qing dynasty, Kangxi period (1662-1722)

$

0

0

Lot 3137. A pair of wucai bowls with foliate design, seal marks and period of Daoguang (1821-1850); 10 cm., 4 7/8  in. Estimate 200,000 — 300,000 HKD. Lot sold 525,000 HKD. Photo: Sotheby's 2013

each with deep rounded sides supported on a short straight foot, finely enamelled on the interior in the wucaipalette with two addorsed crenulated foliate 'C'-scrolls tied to a central spearheaded post issuing green leaves, within a double-line border repeated at the rim, the exterior similarly painted with detached strapwork motifs interspersed with foliate scrolls suspending trefoils, all between double blue lines at the rim and foot, the base inscribed in underglaze blue with a six-character seal mark.

Sotheby's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art. Hong Kong, 08 april 2013

A blue and white 'Dragon and Fish' bowl, mark and period of Jiajing (1522-1566)

January 13, 2018, 11:16 am

≫ Next: A small blue and white 'Dragon' jar, mark and period of Wanli (1573-1620)

≪ Previous: A pair of wucai bowls with foliate design, seal marks and period of Daoguang (1821-1850)

$

0

0

Lot 3120. A blue and white 'Dragon and Fish' bowl, mark and period of Jiajing (1522-1566); 13.8 cm., 5 3/8  in. Estimate 150,000 — 200,000 HKD. Lot sold 525,000 HKD. Photo: Sotheby's 2013

the deep rounded sides rising from a slightly tapered foot to a gently lipped rim, freely painted in shaded tones of cobalt, the interior with a central medallion enclosing an en face five-clawed dragon writhing among foliate lotus within a double line-border, below a band enclosing a dragon and a phoenix alternating with lotus sprays on the interior rim, the exterior with a variety of fish, leaping or swimming among pondweed and lotus, the base inscribed in underglaze blue with a six-character reign mark within double circles.

Provenance: A private Japanese collection.

Sotheby's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art. Hong Kong, 08 april 2013

A small blue and white 'Dragon' jar, mark and period of Wanli (1573-1620)

January 13, 2018, 11:26 am

≫ Next: An incised yellow-glazed 'Dragon' bowl, mark and period of Xianfeng (1831-1861)

≪ Previous: A blue and white 'Dragon and Fish' bowl, mark and period of Jiajing (1522-1566)

$

0

0

Lot 3123. A small blue and white 'Dragon' jar, mark and period of Wanli (1573-1620); diameter approx. 8.5 cm., 3 3/8  in. Estimate 250,000 — 300,000 HKD. Lot sold 525,000 HKD. Photo: Sotheby's 2013

the compressed globular body decorated in soft shades of cobalt with a pair of scaly dragons striding among flowers in pursuit of a 'flaming pearl', above four evenly spread rocky outcrops rising from a turbulent sea, all between a border of upright lappets skirting the base and a band of foliate scrolls encircling the rim, the recessed base inscribed in underglaze blue with a six-character reign mark.

Sotheby's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art. Hong Kong, 08 april 2013

An incised yellow-glazed 'Dragon' bowl, mark and period of Xianfeng (1831-1861)

January 13, 2018, 11:33 am

≫ Next: A Green-Enamel 'Dragon' Dish, Mark and Period of Zhengde (1506-1521)

≪ Previous: A small blue and white 'Dragon' jar, mark and period of Wanli (1573-1620)

$

0

0

Lot 3079. An incised yellow-glazed 'Dragon' bowl, mark and period of Xianfeng (1831-1861); 12.5 cm., 5 in. Estimate 300,000 — 400,000 HKD. Lot sold 500,000 HKD. Photo: Sotheby's 2013

the deep rounded sides resting on a narrow cylindrical foot, finely incised around the exterior with two five-clawed dragons striding among flames above turbulent waves and stylised rocks in pursuit of a 'flaming pearl', each depicted with a sinuous scaly body, gaping jaws, and a free flowing mane, all beneath a deep yellow glaze of egg-yolk yellow tone, save for the base left white and inscribed in underglaze blue with a six-character reign mark.

Provenance: Christie's Hong Kong, 30th May 2006, lot 1451.

Sotheby's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art. Hong Kong, 08 april 2013

A Green-Enamel 'Dragon' Dish, Mark and Period of Zhengde (1506-1521)

January 13, 2018, 11:45 am

≫ Next: An incised yellow-ground green-enamelled 'Dragon' dish, mark and period of Zhengde (1506-1521)

≪ Previous: An incised yellow-glazed 'Dragon' bowl, mark and period of Xianfeng (1831-1861)

$

0

0

Lot 3177. A Green-Enamel 'Dragon' Dish, Mark and Period of Zhengde (1506-1521); 20.6 cm., 8 1/8  in. Estimate 150,000 — 200,000 HKD. Lot sold 500,000 HKD. Photo: Sotheby's 2013

the shallow rounded sides rising from a short slightly tapered foot to an everted rim, the interior decorated with a central medallion enclosing a five-clawed dragon writhing among stylized clouds, its head, scaly body and limbs incised, reserved on the biscuit and covered with a green enamel, its claws and spikes picked out in green enamel over the glaze, all within a green circle repeated at the rim, the exterior decorated with two five-clawed dragons striding above crested waves and rocks, similarly reserved on the biscuit and painted with a green enamel against the white ground, the base inscribed in underglaze blue with a six-character reign mark within double circles.

Sotheby's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art. Hong Kong, 08 april 2013

An incised yellow-ground green-enamelled 'Dragon' dish, mark and period of Zhengde (1506-1521)

January 13, 2018, 11:53 am

≫ Next: A blue and white 'Mythical animals' bowl, mark and period of Wanli (1573-1620)

≪ Previous: A Green-Enamel 'Dragon' Dish, Mark and Period of Zhengde (1506-1521)

$

0

0

Lot 3179. An incised yellow-ground green-enamelled 'Dragon' dish, mark and period of Zhengde (1506-1521); 18.8 cm., 7 3/8  in. Estimate 250,000 — 350,000 HKD. Lot sold 475,000 HKD. Photo: Sotheby's 2013

the shallow rounded sides rising around a slightly recessed centre from a short tapered foot, deftly incised around the exterior and painted in bright green enamel against an ochre-yellow ground with two slender five-clawed dragons striding among clouds in pursuit of 'flaming pearls', with flowing manes, undulating scaly bodies and outstretched claws, the interior and the base reserved in white, the slightly concave base inscribed in underglaze blue with a four-character reign mark within double circles.

Sotheby's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art. Hong Kong, 08 april 2013

---

A blue and white 'Mythical animals' bowl, mark and period of Wanli (1573-1620)

January 13, 2018, 12:00 pm

≫ Next: A fine coral-red reverse-decorated ‘Lotus’ bowl, Seal mark and period of Qianlong (1735-1796)

≪ Previous: An incised yellow-ground green-enamelled 'Dragon' dish, mark and period of Zhengde (1506-1521)

$

0

0

Lot 3122. A blue and white 'Mythical animals' bowl, mark and period of Wanli (1573-1620); 16.5 cm., 6 1/2  in. Estimate 200,000 — 300,000 HKD. Lot sold 475,000 HKD. Photo: Sotheby's 2013

the deep rounded sides supported on a short slightly tapered foot, brightly painted on the interior in shaded tones of cobalt blue with a central medallion enclosing an en face five-clawed dragon writhing around a 'flaming pearl' within a double-line border repeated at the rim, the exterior with a continuous frieze of real and mythical animals, including five-clawed dragons, tiger, chilin, ox, fox and leopard, within a band of detached flowering and fruiting sprays at the rim and six of the 'Eight Treasures' (babao) around the foot, the base inscribed in underglaze blue with a six-character reign mark within double circles.

Sotheby's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art. Hong Kong, 08 april 2013

A fine coral-red reverse-decorated ‘Lotus’ bowl, Seal mark and period of Qianlong (1735-1796)

January 13, 2018, 12:08 pm

≫ Next: A fine copper-red winecup, seal mark and period of Yongzheng (1722-1735)

≪ Previous: A blue and white 'Mythical animals' bowl, mark and period of Wanli (1573-1620)

$

0

0

Lot 3181. A fine coral-red reverse-decorated ‘Lotus’ bowl, Seal mark and period of Qianlong (1735-1796); 13 cm., 5 1/8  in. Estimate 220,000 — 280,000 HKD. Lot sold 450,000 HKD. Photo: Sotheby's 2013

the finely potted deep rounded sides rising from a short foot to an everted rim, delicately reverse-decorated in a rich iron-red enamel with a row of peony heads alternating with smaller lotus above a row of lotus blossoms, all borne on interlocked foliate scrolls reserved in white against the opaque coral ground, the interior left undecorated, the white base inscribed in underglaze blue with a six-character seal mark.

Sotheby's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art. Hong Kong, 08 april 2013

A fine copper-red winecup, seal mark and period of Yongzheng (1722-1735)

January 13, 2018, 1:49 pm

≫ Next: A pair of café-au-lait-glazed bowls, marks and period of Kangxi (1662-1722)

≪ Previous: A fine coral-red reverse-decorated ‘Lotus’ bowl, Seal mark and period of Qianlong (1735-1796)

$

0

0

Lot 3065. A fine copper-red winecup, seal mark and period of Yongzheng (1722-1735); 7.5 cm., 3 in. Estimate 80,000 — 100,000 HKD. Lot sold 437,500 HKD. Photo: Sotheby's 2013

with rounded sides and a slightly convex base supported on a narrow tapered footring, applied on the exterior with a rich, well controlled copper-red glaze suffused with fine bubbles, draining to white at the rim and pooling neatly just above the foot to a darker tone, the interior and the base left white, the latter inscribed in underglaze blue with a six-character reign mark within double circles.

Sotheby's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art. Hong Kong, 08 april 2013

A pair of café-au-lait-glazed bowls, marks and period of Kangxi (1662-1722)

January 13, 2018, 2:33 pm

≫ Next: A blue and white 'floral spray' bowl, mark and period of Yongzheng (1723-1735)

≪ Previous: A fine copper-red winecup, seal mark and period of Yongzheng (1722-1735)

$

0

0

Lot 3078. A pair of café-au-lait-glazed bowls, marks and period of Kangxi (1662-1722); 10 cm., 3 7/8  in. Estimate 200,000 — 300,000 HKD. Lot sold 437,500 HKD. Photo: Sotheby's 2013

each well potted with full rounded sides supported on a slightly tapered low foot, enveloped overall with a glossy glaze of persimmon tone, save for the white recessed base inscribed in underglaze blue with a six-character reign mark within double circles.

Sotheby's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art. Hong Kong, 08 april 2013

A blue and white 'floral spray' bowl, mark and period of Yongzheng (1723-1735)

January 14, 2018, 3:40 am

≫ Next: A fine wucai 'Immortals' bowl, mark and period of Wanli (1573-1620)

≪ Previous: A pair of café-au-lait-glazed bowls, marks and period of Kangxi (1662-1722)

$

0

0

Lot 3144. A blue and white 'floral spray' bowl, mark and period of Yongzheng (1723-1735); 26.5 cm., 10 1/2  in. Estimate 180,000 — 250,000 HKD. Lot sold 400,000 HKD. Photo: Sotheby's 2013

of conical form with flared sides supported on a splayed foot, painted in inky tones of cobalt blue stippled with simulated 'heaping and piling', the interior with a central medallion enclosing an eight petalled-bloom with serrated leaves encircled on the well by detached sprays of chrysanthemum, rose, peony, lotus, pomegranate blossoms and tree peony, below flower sprigs interspersed with pronged motifs on the everted rim, all divided by double line borders, the underside similarly decorated with six detached floral sprays including two varieties of lotus, tree peonies, rose and  pomegranate blossoms, below a band of key-fret under the rim and a 'classic' scroll encircling the foot, the base inscribed in underglaze blue with a six-character reign mark within double circles.

Sotheby's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art. Hong Kong, 08 april 2013