A fine yellow-glazed bowl, Kangxi six-character mark and of the period. Photo Bonhams
Of deep rounded sides rising from a slightly tapering foot, covered inside and out in a rich and lustrous egg-yolk yellow glaze, the base with an underglaze-blue Imperial kaishu mark within double circles. 12.5 diam. Estimate HK$ 900,000 - 1.2 million (€87,000 - 120,000). Unsold
Yellow glaze of such rich and lustrous quality is often regarded as 'Imperial yellow'. 'Imperial yellow' glaze was used as a colour on porcelain vessel from the Ming Dynasty, as early as during the Xuande reign. Yellow glazes during the Ming and Qing Dynasties, were either applied directly to the pre-fired body, which achieved richer and warmer tones, or on top of a high-fired glaze which results in an even and smooth appearance. 'Imperial yellow' wares were particularly prized given that Qing regulations accorded this colour only for the Emperor, Empress or Dowager Empress. So important was the colour yellow, such wares were also designated for rituals conducted by the Emperor at the Altar of Earth.
Various examples of much larger plain yellow-glazed Kangxi mark and period bowls have been published: for example a pair included in the Catalogue of Ming and Qing Monochrome Wares in the Percival David Foundation of Chinese Art, London, 1989, p.33, no.A522a and A522b; one in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, illustrated in Illustrated Catalogue of Ch'ing Dynasty Porcelain: K'ang-hsi and Yung-cheng Ware, Tokyo, 1980, pl.63; one illustrated by J. Ayers, The Baur Collection Geneva, 1972, vol. 3, no.A446; and another illustrated by R. Krahl in Chinese Ceramics from the Meiyintang Collection, vol.2, London, 1994, p.230, no.893.
Several examples of large sized yellow-glazed bowls have also been sold through auction, including one measuring 31.4cm diam, sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 31 May 2010, lot 1867; another measuring 38cm diam sold in our London rooms, 12 May 2011, lot 405; and one other measuring 36.2 diam, at Christie's New York, 20-21 March 2014, lot 2178. It is exceedingly rare to find bowls of smaller size as the present lot, with such exceptional colour and potting. Compare with a similarly potted and glazed bowl, Qianlong mark and of the period, of similar size to the present lot sold at Christie's New York, 13-14 September, lot 1522.
Bonhams. FINE CHINESE CERAMICS AND WORKS OF ART. Hong Kong, Admiralty, 26 May 2014